Abstract: In reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, comprising a boiler and a heat exchanger inserted at least partially into the end catalytic beds, and at least an intermediate catalytic bed, two airspaces are now provided in each catalytic bed by introducing couples of annular walls, one of said airspaces being produced between the cartridge's internal wall and the perforated wall inserted close to it.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst layer-fixed reactor for an exothermic reaction which comprises a plurality of reaction tubes disposed within a shell of the reactor, an inner tube disposed in the middle portion of each of the reaction tubes, catalyst layers formed by catalyst charged in the space inside the reaction tubes and outside the inner tubes, and a cooling medium charged between each of the reaction tubes and the shell, and in which a feed gas is flowed in each of the inner tubes in cocurrent to feed gas flowing in the fixed catalyst layer.

Abstract: Aliphatic oxygenates are converted to high octane gasoline by an integrated reactor system wherein three reaction zones are utilized. In a first reaction zone the oxygenates are directly converted to gasoline and an isobutane by-product. In a second reaction zone oxygenates are dehydrated to an intermediate product comprising C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 olefins, which are then further reacted with the isobutane by-product in a third reaction zone to yield a gasoline alkylate. Ethylene-containing vapors may be separated from the second reaction zone and recycled to the first reaction zone for further processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing exothermic catalytic gas reactions for synthesis of ammonia or methanol, comprising essentially a high-pressure shell, an insert, and an upper cover, the insert being equipped at least with two superimposed annular cylindrical catalyst containments having a gas-permeable inner and outer wall for radial gas flow from the outside towards the inside and with two tubular gas/gas heat exchangers arranged centrally in the first and second catalyst containers.

Abstract: Improved process for heterogeneous synthesis and related reactors according to which the synthesis catalyst is distributed in three catalytic beds either axial-radial or radial, control of the temperature between beds being effected by means of fresh quench gas between the first and the second bed and by means of indirect cooling with an exchanger between the second and the third bed of the gas leaving the second bed, using fresh gas which is heated inside the tubes of said exchanger.

Abstract: The energy consumption of conventional reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, e.g., ammonia synthesis and methanol synthesis, wherein the synthesis gas flows substantially axially through catalyst beds, is substantially reduced by inserting in at least one catalyst bed: two concentric cylindrical substantially perforated walls to laterally delimit the bed; a bottom closure between these walls; and optionally a diaphragm on top of the bed. Optionally also, a catalyst granulometry gradient may be employed in the upper part of the bed. An upper minor portion of at least one of the cylindrical walls may be unperforated. The synthesis gas now traverses the bed substantially radially.

Abstract: The system to reduce the energy consumption of heterogeneous synthesis reactors, particularly of ammonia reactors, f.i. the "Chemico"-type reactor, foresees the insertion of two cylindrical walls at least partially perforated in order to annularly delimit the catalytic beds; the first outer wall (Fe) having a diameter (Di) slightly smaller than diameter (Dc) of the cartridge (C), has a height (Hi) higher than (H'i) of the internal cylindrical wall (Fi) which has a diameter inferior to the above mentioned (Di), but superior to the external diameter (Dt) of the central feed pipe (T) of the quench gas (QG). The top (SO) of the internal cylindrical wall (Fi) is closed by a cover (CO) that has a distance from the bottom (FO) of the basket equal to the mentioned height (H'i) of the internal cylindrical wall. The catalytic bed is therefore annular in diameter (Di-D'i) on all of the said height (H'i), but is substantially cylindrical (of diameter Di) on the height (Hi-H'i).

Abstract: A catalytic reactor includes a reactor vessel, a catalyst bed and at least two heat exchangers. The catalyst bed and heat exchangers are arranged coaxially with the central axis of a reactor vessel and substantially at the same height.

Abstract: A reaction vessel has a catalytic core, with an inlet for a first gas and for a second gas. The first and second gasses react in an exothermic reaction during passage through the catalytic core. The first gas passes through conduits which extend through the catalytic core, so as to be preheated and also so as to cool the catalytic core so that the catalyzed reaction proceeds in a preferred temperature range. The gasses are mixed at one end of the vessel in a mixing chamber, and are drawn through the catalytic core into a gathering chamber, from which the reacted gasses exit. A cooling chamber is provided for introduction of a cooling fluid about the periphery of the catalytic core, for drawing away any excess heat during operation.

Abstract: A reactor for heterogeneous synthesis with reduced energy consumption. The reactor includes two cylindrical walls that are at least partly perforated and which annularly deliminate the catalytic beds. An outer wall (Fe) has height (Hi) and a diameter (Di) that is slightly smaller than diameter (Dc) of cartridge (C). An internal, cylindrical wall (Fi) has a height (H'i) and a diameter (D'i) much smaller than diameter (Di). The diameter (D'i) is about equal to diameter (Dt) of a central tube (T) which is an outlet for reacted gas (RG). The top of the cylindrical wall (Fi) is closed by a cover (CO) and is located at a distance (D) from the upper edge of the external wall of the basket (Fe). The basket is closed at its bottom by a tapered wall (PR).

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for synthesizing ammonia from an ammonia feed gas passing to an ammonia synthesis converter from a heat exchanger. The synthesis converter is close coupled through a channel to a heat exchanger and a conduit extends through the channel and is adapted to be connected to the tube side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A reactor for single-layer, exothermic catalytic synthesis in the gaseous phase under pressure, is made up of a main casing under high pressure, comprising a cylindrical part and two hemispherical ends containing an enclosure for the catalyst carrier, including a single catalyst layer concentric to the body of force and whose external wall is covered with an insulator, a space being located between the internal wall of the main casing under high pressure resting on a helical metal winding from one end of the casing to the other, said main casing under high pressure and the enclosure for the catalyst carrier being provided with means for introducing and withdrawing gas streams, located at the ends of the main axis and arranged facing each other on the hemispherical ends. The enclosure for the catalyst carrier furthermore is equipped with a vertical pipe for filling and emptying the catalyst. The reactor can be used for synthesizing ammonia and methanol.

Abstract: The energy consumption of conventional reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, e.g., ammonia synthesis and methanol synthesis, wherein the synthesis gas flows substantially axially through catalyst beds, is substantially reduced by inserting in at least one catalyst bed: two concentric cylindrical substantially perforated walls to laterally delimit the bed; a bottom closure between these walls; and optionally a diaphragm on top of the bed. Optionally also, a catalyst granulometry gradient may be employed in the upper part of the bed. An upper minor portion of at least one of the cylindrical walls may be unperforated. The synthesis gas now traverses the bed substantially radially.

Abstract: A system to make walls for catalyst baskets for heterogeneous synthesis reactors, particularly the distribution walls which are inserted in axial reactors in order to modify them into substantially radial (or axial-radial) reactors with low energy consumptions. The distribution walls are divided into n sections. By attaching each section end to a device consisting of two flange elements, the radially longer one protruding over the distribution wall, the invention achieves truing and stiffening of the entire device. The other end extends slightly into the inside of the catalyst bed. Between the internal walls of the basket and the perforated distribution sheet, an airspace is formed by using separating rods or, in their absence, using a perforated bridge plate as the distribution wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for industrial plants, e.g. for an ammonia synthesis plant, comprising several catalyst beds in series charged by a radial gas flow. The object is to provide for a uniform gas flow through the catalyst bed along its entire height, otherwise different space velocities are experienced within the catalyst bed involving irregularities in the reaction. The problem is solved when the cross-section of the annular space for the effluent reaction gas flowing in axial direction is equal to or larger than the cross-section of the annular space for the influent fresh gas flowing in axial direction.

Abstract: The general conditions of the thermal exchange are improved by ameliorating the mixing of reacted gases together with quench gases, in order to increase in the yields and to reduce the energy consumption in reactors used for heterogeneous synthesis (ammonia, methanol, etc.), consisting of an external shell, of an internal cartridge with catalytic baskets lying one above the other, at least one of such baskets being traversed axially by the reaction gas, and of means to feed the quench gas between the bottom of one basket and the top of the following basket, said gas mixing being carried out in a peripheral zone near the internal cartridge wall.

Abstract: Process for obtaining an optimal synthesis gas distribution in catalytic beds for heterogeneous reactions in reactors comprising a cylindrical pressure vessel with an internal cartridge containing a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to an apparatus for effecting chemical syntheses in gaseous phase, under pressure, in the presence of a solid catalyst, for instance for ammonia synthesis from hydrogen and nitrogen or for the synthesis of methanol or higher homolog alcohols from hydrogen and at least one carbon oxide.The reactor of substantially cylindrical shape contains a plurality of elongate compartments of parallelipiped shape, adjacent to each other, the adjacent walls of the compartments or the common walls of the adjacent compartments being gas-tight walls, said tight walls forming hollow plates wherein are provided channels for the flow of a fluid heat carrier flowing through said walls under a pressure substantially equal to the pressure to which are subjected the reaction gases.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an improved process and apparatus for the production of gaseous products such as ammonia by catalytic, exothermic gaseous reactions and is specifically directed to an improved process which utilizes a gas-phase catalytic reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia. This improved process for the production of ammonia utilizes an ammonia converter apparatus designed to comprise at least two catalyst stages and a reheat exchanger so arranged as to provide indirect heat exchange of the gaseous effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage with the effluent from at least one other reactor catalyst stage having a higher temperature level in order to reheat the effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage prior to exiting the reactor vessel, thereby facilitating higher level heat recovery from the reactor effluent.

Abstract: A reactor suitable for synthesis of ammonia or methanol comprises a catalyst bed 36 equipped with heat exchange tubes 32 supported by means 28-31 or 40, 42 providing catalyst fillable space between the tubes over substantially their whole length. Preferably catalyst particles between the tubes and in an uncooled bed 36 downstream thereof constitute a single body of catalyst. The reactor is especially suitable for synthesis at low pressures such that the heat transfer area provided by the tubes is relatively low.

Abstract: A converter for heterogeneous synthesis. The converter contains a variable number of internal cartridges, each having a non-perforated external wall which forms an interspace with a internal shell wall. The converter also has a corresponding variable number of catalytic beds, each having granular catalyst. The catalyst beds are contained in a vessel having a closed bottom, an open top, and two cylindrical concentric perforated walls. The perforated walls allow for adduction and extraction of reaction gases which flow axially and radially through the catalyst beds. Heat exchangers are orientated on the same axis with the annular catalyst beds and consist of tube-bundles within a shell. Reaction gas feed tubes extend through some of the heat exchanger tube bundles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of ammonia synthesis gas comprises a hydrocarbon convertor for converting a hydrocarbon feed to an effluent containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by reaction with air which hydrocarbon convertor includes means to provide air in excess of the stoichiometric amount of nitrogen required for ammonia synthesis. The effluent from the hydrocarbon convertor is in communication with a water gas shift convertor for converting the carbon monoxide in the effluent to carbon dioxide. The water gas shift convertor is in communication with a pressure-swing adsorption system capable of selectively adsorbing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and other impurities from hydrogen and a portion of the nitrogen fed in the gas mixture to the pressure swing adsorption system. The pressure swing adsorption system is provided with a conduit for discharging a partially purified ammonia synthesis gas mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen and a conduit for discharging purge gas.

Abstract: The energy consumption of conventional reactors for heterogeneous synthesis, e.g., ammonia synthesis and methanol synthesis, wherein the synthesis gas flows substantially axially through catalyst beds, is substantially reduced by inserting in at least one catalyst bed: two concentric cylindrical substantially perforated walls to laterally delimit the bed; a bottom closure between these walls; and optionally a diaphragm on top of the bed. Optionally also, a catalyst granulometry gradient may be employed in the upper part of the bed. An upper minor portion of at least one of the cylindrical walls may be unperforated. The synthesis gas now traverses the bed substantially radially.

Abstract: An upright reactor for the generation of methanol comprises a cylindrical housing closed by a removable hood, where several catalyst beds, arranged one over the other and each carried by a detachable gas-permeable bottom or net, are surrounded by a cylindrical jacket of finned tubes into which open the ends of the exchanger tubes traversing the catalyst bed. According to the invention, horizontal gas-impermeable partitions are arranged below the gas-permeable bottoms or nets of the second lowest and of the next highest catalyst beds at the level of inflow or outflow openings for the gas.

Abstract: A vertical, cold wall, three bed ammonia converter having upper and lower shell and tube heat exchangers wherein the lower heat exchanger is disposed axially within the upper, annular catalyst bed and preheated synthesis gas from the heat exchangers is initially converted in the middle catalyst bed which is penetrated by first, second, and third coaxial pipes. Partially converted gas from the middle catalyst bed flows upwardly through the annulus formed by the second and third axial pipes through the hot side of the lower exchanger and is then divided for parallel flow through the upper catalyst bed and, by way of the annulus formed by the first and second axial pipes, the lower catalyst bed. Converted gas from the upper and lower catalyst beds is then combined and introduced to the hot side of the upper feed/effluent exchanger.

Abstract: A vertical reactor for catalytic exothermic and endothermic reactions, especially for the production of methanol, ammonia, synthesis gas and higher alcohols, with a jacket containing the catalyst bed and exchanger pipes which form a tube bundle running through the jacket parallel to its longitudinal axis, with a gas-permeable floor supporting the catalyst bed, as well as feed and discharge pipes for the cooling or heating medium running through the jacket lid and the jacket floor, said feed and discharge pipes, as well as feed and discharge pipes for the reaction gas, leading into horizontal distributing and collecting pipes wherein the upper and lower ends of the upright or essentially upright exchanger pipes of the tube bundle lead into horizontal supporting headers which are parallel to each other and arranged below and above the collecting and distributing pipes.

Abstract: An improved reactor is disclosed wherein a high temperature product gas discharged from a catalyst bed within the reactor is cooled in a central heat exchanger installed within the reactor by heat exchange with a low temperature feed gas comprising gaseous raw materials for the reaction, and the product gas is thereafter flowed along the inner surface of an outer pressure vessel in order to maintain the outer pressure vessel at a low temperature. Inlet and outlet pipes for a coolant which coolant is circulated through a coolant passage structure which penetrates the catalyst bed in order to absorb the heat of reaction, both penetrate the top cover of the outer pressure vessel so that the coolant passage structure can be readily removed for maintenance and inspection, and the overall design of the reactor is simplified.

Abstract: The invention relates to the compression of a gaseous stream 1. The stream 1 is cooled by a liquid 15 that evaporates at least partially in the gaseous stream. The injected liquid has a composition different from that of the gas to be compressed, and is a component employed in the process in which compression is required and conducted. Alternatively, the liquid is selected from the starting materials to be employed in the process.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption gas separations are conducted inside an open loop Stirling cycle apparatus which may operate as an engine, refrigerator or heat pump. Adsorbent surfaces are associated with the thermal regenerators of the Stirling cycle apparatus, so that a preferentially adsorbed gas fraction is concentrated by parametric pumping into a colder end of an engine or into a warmer end of a refrigerator or heat pump, while a less readily adsorbed gas fraction is concentrated into warmer end of an engine or into colder end of a refrigerator or heat pump. Flow control means are provided to introduce the feed gas into the working space of the apparatus and to remove separated product fractions. Feed gases may be chemically reactive within a portion of the working space, with reactant and product species of the reaction separated by the apparatus to drive the reaction off equilibrium.

Abstract: A horizontal, cold wall, multi-bed ammonia converter having two, shell and tube interchangers for cooling reaction gas streams leaving respectively the first and second catalyst beds with incoming reactant gases wherein each of the interchangers is vertically oriented and physically located between catalyst beds. The catalyst beds are adiabatic, slab-shape beds defined in part by side portions of the inner wall of the converter and are arranged for downward, transverse flow of reacting gases. Longitudinal conduits and baffling in cooperation with the arrangement of catalyst beds and interchangers provide serial flow of gas through the cold side of each of the interchangers, a first catalyst bed, the hot side of one of the interchangers, a second catalyst bed, the hot side of the other interchanger, a third catalyst bed, and, optionally, a fourth catalyst bed.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for carrying out reactions in gas phase, wherein the gas is passed through a cylindrical catalytic reactor so designed that the catalyst bed is divided into several portions arranged in distinct vertical parallelepipedic compartments which are successively traversed by the reaction gas in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical reactor. Fresh gas may be supplied between two compartments to maintain the temperature in a well controlled range.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the auto-thermal production of hydrogen rich synthesis gas wherein a mixture of steam and a hydrocarbon feed gas is reacted by passing through a catalyst counter-currently to the flow of the combustion reaction effluent of the process. Reaction tubes are mounted within a heat exchange chamber of the reactor and are adapted to contain catalyst to effect the reaction of the mixture. Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is introduced into a combustion chamber within the reactor to effect combustion, and the combustion reaction effluent is passed through a second catalyst zone to provide additional reaction and is thereafter passed about the exterior of the reaction tubes to effect heat exchange with the mixture passing through the tubes. The exothermic heat of reaction from combustion thus provides the heat for the endothermic reaction occurring within the reaction tubes and within the second catalyst zone.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out exothermic and endothermic catalytic reactions includes a contact tube bundle and radial admission and removal of a heat transfer medium via an annular duct for each, and a circulation through an external heat exchanger. Two or more circulating pumps are connected to the annular ducts and are distributed over the circumference. The heat exchanger can be arranged in shunt to the main circulation and be connected with individual sections of at least one annular duct via setting elements.

Abstract: A reaction tube system of a steam reformer, more generally referred to as tubular cracking furnace, for the indirect heating of cracking feedstock, such as the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons, includes a plurality of reaction tubes and headers, the reaction tubes penetrating through the bottom of the steam reformer and being extended to the associated header by low-alloy tube sections attached to the tubes by circumferential welds. The reaction tubes are surrounded in the area of the weld(s) by a coaxial protective tube having one open end and defining a free annular space around the reaction tube. The protective tube prevents deterioration by corrosion of the weld(s) joining the tube sections of high-alloy steel with low-alloy extension sections with unalloyed steel extension section.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to an improved process and apparatus for the production of gaseous products such as ammonia by catalytic, exothermic gaseous reactions and is specifically directed to an improved process which utilizes a gas-phase catalytic reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia. This improved process for the production of ammonia utilizes an ammonia converter apparatus designed to comprise at least two catalyst stages and a reheat exchanger so arranged as to provide indirect heat exchange of the gaseous effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage with the effluent from at least one other reactor catalyst stage having a higher temperature level in order to reheat the effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage prior to exiting the reactor vessel, thereby facilitating higher level heat recovery from the reactor effluent.

Abstract: A reactor, especially for exothermic reactions like methanol synthesis, comprises a tube bundle in which the coiling tube extends through a body of particles to facilitate the discharge of depleted particles from the catalyst space and to increase the pressure resistance of the assembly, the tube sheet at the opposite ends of the bore being convex inwardly. The tube bundle has a helical configuration and the tube sheets are hemispherical in shape in the region where the tubes intersect with the tube sheet. The tubes intersect the bottom tube sheet in radial rows of openings wherein the rows are spaced to facilitate the discharge of catalyst particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel novolak resin comprising structural units having a trimethylsilyl group. A resist material highly resistive to dry etching is obtained by adding a photosensitive diazo compound to this novolak resin. The resist material is useful in various lithography methods to form a positive resist pattern. This resist material is used in a pattern forming method of a two-layer type, in which a fine pattern is formed in a thin film of the resist material by lithography and then transferred into an underlying thick organic polymer layer by dry etching of the underlying layer with the resist pattern as mask. Curing of the resist pattern by irradiation with deep UV rays is effective for further improvement in the precision of the transferred pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a catalytic chemical reaction in the presence of a granular catalyst under conditions such that both the reactants and the reaction product are gaseous at the temperature and pressure of the reaction. According to the present invention, a vertically extending, annular, intercylinder space, defined between a cylindrical outer catalyst retainer and a cylinder inner catalyst retainer, is divided by radially extending vertical partition walls into a plurality of chambers. Heat-exchanging tubes are disposed vertically in at least one of the chambers. A granular catalyst is packed in at least two of said chambers to form at least two reaction chambers. A feed gas is caused to flow successively and in radial directions through these reaction chambers. Since the invention reactor achieves an improved linear gas flow velocity and a greater overall heat-transfer coefficient, the reactor of the invention requires fewer heat-exchanging tubes and can thus be made smaller.

Abstract: Apparatus for synthesizing ammonia from an ammonia feed gas passing to an ammonia synthesis converter from a horizontally disposed heat exchanger. The synthesis converter comprising a shell and catalyst holder positioned within and spaced slightly from the shell to provide an annular passageway therebetween, is close coupled through a channel to a heat exchanger and a conduit extends through the channel and is adapted to be connected to the tube side of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In an ammonia manufacturing apparatus, control of the hydrogen to nitrogen ratio for the feed to the ammonia synthesis reactor is accomplished by controlling the hydrogen to nitrogen ratio based on the ratio of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to nitrogen in the effluent withdrawn from the secondary reformer. Also, in an ammonia manufacturing apparatus where parallel reformer trains are utilized, shifting of loading between the parallel reformer trains is accomplished using valve position control to override the control based on the ratio of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to nitrogen in the effluent withdrawn from the secondary reformer.

Abstract: A vertical, cold wall, three bed ammonia converter wherein the first catalyst bed is in series flow with the second and third beds which are in parallel flow, the converter having an internal indirect heat exchanger for cooling effluent from the first catalyst bed.

Abstract: A horizontal, cold wall, catalytic converter useful in ammonia synthesis having an internal feed/effluent heat exchanger and plurality of catalyst beds arranged for preheating reactant gases by indirect heat exchange with effluent from the first catalyst bed and subsequent gas flow to a second catalyst bed the gas flows being directed by gas transfer means disposed between the first catalyst bed and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a pressure swing adsorption system for the purification of hydrogen to be used in an ammonia synthesis gas, nitrogen is employed as a purge gas at an elevated purge pressure. The hydrogen recovered at adsorption pressure contains about 20-25% nitrogen and is advantageous for use as said ammonia synthesis gas. The purge gas is expanded to generate power that can be used to compress air being passed to an air separation system. The nitrogen recovered therein can be employed as said purge gas, while the oxygen recovered can conveniently be employed in a hydrogen generation system used to form said hydrogen passed to the pressure swing adsorption system.

Abstract: In a reactor comprising an outer shell and an internal cartridge preferably obtained by assembling a number of stackable modular cartridges, each comprising from the outside to the inside at least one solid wall forming an air space with the shell inside wall, a continuous bottom to the solid wall, a first wall perforated for the whole of its length, a second internal wall only partially perforated, and a catalytic bed inserted between the said bottom and said walls totally respectively partially perforated, at least one heat exchanger is arranged centrally and axially in a catalytic bed; the feed gas which has cooled the external wall of the shell collects in a duct in the middle of the exchanger along which it runs in one way (for example, from top to bottom) running successively along the exchanger in the other way inside the exchanger tubes emerging preheated in the free zone over the top layer of the catalytic bed where it is mixed with fresh gas fed directly from the outside of said zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for heterogeneous catalytic reactions of gaseous reactants under pressure, comprising: a container having an inlet for introduction of gaseous reactants and an outlet for the efflux of products of the reactions; a cartridge having a cylindrically shaped wall placed within the container and communicating with the inlet and the outlet; at least two stationary-bed, catalyst-containing baskets supported within the cartridge, each of the baskets including an imperforate bottom section, a cylindrical outer perforated wall, a cylindrical inner concentric perforated wall and an annular opening defined by the inner and outer perforated walls in the upper end of each stationary-bed, catalyst-containing basket, the opening formed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner and outer perforated walls, the bottom section and the inner and outer perforated walls cooperating with the cylindrically shaped cartridge wall to form a partially restrictive axial flow means,

Abstract: A radial ammonia converter system including first and second heat interchangers and first, second and third catalyst beds. The synthesis gas is heated in said first and second interchangers by catalyst bed effluent prior to full flow through each of the catalyst beds. In one embodiment, two of the catalyst beds are mounted with the first and second interchangers in one vessel; and in another embodiment, the first interchanger and second catalyst bed are mounted in one vessel and the second interchanger and first catalyst bed are mounted in a separate vessel. In both embodiments, the radial ammonia converter system is completed by a third catalyst bed in a separate vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out catalytic exothermic and endothermic high-pressure gas reactions, comprising a single-walled pressure vessel or shell containing cross-flow (e.g., radial flow) heat transfer exchangers, a continuous catalytic bed having at least two stages, and means for effecting "cross-over" material flows from "outside" to "inside" (for exothermic reactions) and vice versa (for endothermic reactions), whereby conditions of: maximum gas temperature always being in the core of the apparatus, minimal pressure drop, and minimal compression of catalyst particles are achieved, along with significant economic savings in cost of the apparatus and catalyst (through extension of catalyst life).

Abstract: Difficulties associated with the operational stability of a conventional cryogenic plant for manufacturing ammonia synthesis gas from a stream rich in hydrogen and a stream of nitrogen are reduced by using three heat exchangers in place of the conventional single heat exchanger. In use, the first heat exchanger, which is preferably arranged with its cold end uppermost, is used to cool the stream of nitrogen to a temperature which:(a) if the nitrogen is above its critical pressure is between 8.degree. and 28.degree. C. above its critical temperature; or(b) if the nitrogen is below its critical pressure is between 3.degree. and 9.degree. C. above its dew point.Part of the nitrogen leaving the first heat exchanger is passed downwardly through a third heat exchanger where it is further cooled before being introduced into a nitrogen wash column where it acts as reflux. The third heat exchanger is cooled by vapor leaving the top of the nitrogen wash column.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of ammonia synthesis gas by the catalytic cracking of coke oven gas in the presence of water vapor and air is disclosed. The apparatus includes concentric inner and outer pipes, a first annular reaction zone between the pipes and a second reaction zone inside the inner pipe, both zones containing a catalyst. The purified coke oven gas along with air and water vapor is introduced into the interior of the outer pipe, i.e., into the first reaction zone at one end. The gas flows along the length of the pipes and then into the inner pipe, i.e., the second reaction zone, through a number of openings in the end of the inner pipe opposite the end of the outer pipe where the coke oven gas was initially introduced. The gas then flows along the length of the inner pipe to the opposite end where the cracked gas is removed.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing ammonia by reacting a synthesis gas comprising nitrogen and hydrogen at superatmospheric pressure in a synthesis reaction zone with recycling of unreacting gas to the reacting zone is disclosed in which a purge gas stream is withdrawn at superatmospheric pressure and subjected to the steps of: (a) work expansion, (b) separation of methane and argon to form a gaseous product stream comprising nitrogen and hydrogen, (c) recompression of at least a portion of the gaseous product stream from step (b) using work generated in step (a), and (d) recycling of at least a portion of the recompressed product from step (c) to the reaction zone.Apparatus for effecting said process is also claimed.