Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous treatment of substances in flowable form in conjunction with a catalyst for carrying out chemical reactions, the apparatus including a rotor and a stator in opposed relationship defining between opposing working surfaces a reaction area with an inlet thereinto and an outlet therefrom, and the working surface of the rotor being in the form of a plurality of radially disposed lands and valleys with the lands including catalyst means for catalytically reacting with the substances during the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A process for the continuous catalytic hydrogenation of materials in a flowable form are described. In the process the material to be hydrogenated and a hydrogenating agent in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst are subjected to shearing forces and a rapid succession of compressions and expansions. Preferably, the shearing forces and rapid succession of compressions and expansions are provided by means of a row of teeth in the reaction zone which move at a small spacing from one another. The process provides a higher reaction rate for a select catalyst and, additionally, permits the continuous use of the catalyst without detrimental affects.