Abstract: A reactor tube for a tubular reactor and a retaining device associated with the reactor tube; the reactor tube comprising an elongate tube defining a bore for receiving in use a catalyst and having an outlet at one end of the bore for discharging the catalyst out of the bore; the retaining device being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein in the first position the retaining device at least partially obstructs the outlet for retaining the catalyst within the bore; and in the second position the outlet is unobstructed sufficiently for permitting discharge of the catalyst out of the outlet.

Abstract: A method of installing catalyst carriers into a first selected reactor tube of a tubular reactor. The method comprising the steps of: i) providing an installation tool, the installation tool comprising: a) an installation frame; b) a movable ram mounted to the installation frame and configured for pushing one or more catalyst carriers into the first selected reactor tube; and c) one or more anchors for releasably attaching the installation frame to the tubular reactor; ii) attaching the installation tool to the tubular reactor by engaging the one or more anchors in one or more reactor tubes located alongside the first selected reactor tube so as to align the movable ram with the first selected reactor tube; and iii) actuating the movable ram to push the one or more catalyst carriers into the first selected reactor tube.