GB1098622A - Catalyst element - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:1098622/C4-C5/1> An annular ceramic core is externally coated and uniformly impregnated with Ni, Pd or Pt catalyst and has external lands 15 for spacing it within a reactor tube. The core may be a permeable moulding of MgCO3 and "Britmag" (Registered Trade Mark) which is first impregnated with Ni(NO3)2 solution then fired at 550 DEG C. to reduce to metallic nickel. Alternatively a layer of catalyst is secured by keying or by adhesive to the core. The external surface of the core may be helically ribbed. In use, a series of cores are piled in a vertical heated tube, lands 15 centralizing the cores to form an annular passage between cores and tube (Fig. 4, not shown). A central locating tube is threaded through the cylindrical passages 32 of the cores, annular grooves 33 containing sealing rings. Steam and vaporized light hydrocarbons pass down or up the annular passage, lands 15 giving them a helical motion, and town gas is thereby obtained. The feed gases may enter the passage at the top and be returned up the central tube to an adjacent outlet, e.g. as described in Specification No. 1,036,447. Figs. 1, 2 (not shown) illustrate a core having a conical mouth at one end which receives a sealing ring to seal it to the central tube.