Abstract: The catalytic process obtains a methyl tertiary butyl ether by feeding methanol over a solid catalyst section in a rectifying column having vertical layers in which a catalyst material is enclosed. At least one of the enclosing walls is impermeable to the catalyst material while being permeable to the methanol. A reactant comprising a mixture of saturated and unsaturated 4 carbon-chain hydrocarbons is fed into the solid catalyst section with methanol to produce a methyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: The catalytic process for producing maleic anhydride employs a catalytic device formed of pairs of vertically extending vapor permeable walls which define flow channels between the pairs of walls. In addition, each pair of walls defines an interspace which contains a catalyst. A mixture of air and n-butane is passed through the flow channels while a heat exchange medium, such as a molten salt, is passed in heat exchange relation to the catalytic device while effecting an exothermic catalytic reaction of the mixture within the catalytic device. The resulting gaseous maleic anhydride is produced as a product.

Abstract: The device for carrying out catalyzed reactions includes a plurality of layers, each of which provides an interspace which is filled with a catalyst material. The walls of each layer are impermeable to the catalyst material while being permeable to the reactants flowing in flow channels between the parallel layers. In one embodiment, separate guide elements may be used to space the layers apart and to define the flow channels. The catalyst material may be selected from solid particles, liquids and gases.

Abstract: The device for the performance of sorption processes is in the form of a static mixer and comprises a number of folded double-walled layers which contact one another. The layers are double walled with at least some of the resulting gaps being filled with sorption material. The walls of the layers are permeable by the adsorptives and impermeable by the sorption materials. The device can be used with advantage for chromatography separation processes and permits use of a broad spectrum of sorption materials, increases the working life and improves process reliability.