Abstract: A fixed bed arrangement formed as an insert for a reactor for catalytic conversion of reaction media, in particular for catalytic methanation of a gas mixture including hydrogen and carbon dioxide, having a receiving chamber, which extends axially within an outer sleeve, and through which reaction media flows during the reactor operation for receiving a catalyst material, and a heat exchanger arrangement having a fluid flow path for a temperature control fluid, which fluid flow path is spatially separated from the receiving chamber, for removing and supplying heat from/to the process. The outer sleeve is formed by the heat exchanger arrangement, at least in regions. The fixed bed arrangement includes a reactor for the catalytic reaction of reaction media having a pressure chamber for receiving reaction media, and such a fixed bed arrangement inserted into the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A fixed bed arrangement formed as an insert for a reactor for catalytic conversion of reaction media, in particular for catalytic methanation of a gas mixture including hydrogen and carbon dioxide, having a receiving chamber, which extends axially within an outer sleeve, and through which reaction media flows during the reactor operation for receiving a catalyst material, and a heat exchanger arrangement having a fluid flow path for a temperature control fluid, which fluid flow path is spatially separated from the receiving chamber, for removing and supplying heat from/to the process. The outer sleeve is formed by the heat exchanger arrangement, at least in regions. The fixed bed arrangement includes a reactor for the catalytic reaction of reaction media having a pressure chamber for receiving reaction media, and such a fixed bed arrangement inserted into the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A reactor has a container through which a reactive medium is passed and a plurality of plates in the container defining a plurality of between-plate reaction spaces through which the reactive medium travels. The plates are self-supporting and fixed in the container. Respective self-contained packings each formed by a support independent of the container are each of a flat shape that completely or almost completely fills the between-plate space and are each fittable to a variable depth in and removable from a respective one of the spaces. The supports each hold a catalyst for the reactive medium and are also removable from and insertable with the respective catalyst into the respective spaces such that when the catalyst is exhausted the packings can be replaced with fresh packings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor for the catalytic conversion of reaction media (1) in a reaction chamber (4) with the aid of a catalyst, wherein the reactor is equipped with at least one plate heat exchanger (6) in a reactor container (2). The plate heat exchanger (6) is substantially composed of heat-exchange plates (5) separated from each other by packings (7). The heat-exchange plates (5) define, between each other, the reaction chamber (4) through which the reaction medium (1) flows. According to the invention, the respective packing (7) is constructed as a catalyst support (7) that is structurally independent of the plate heat exchanger (6). In this case, the support (7) in question may be optionally inserted into a plate interstice (4) defining the reaction chamber (4) and removed again therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for disposing of hazardous or high-energy materials, in which the latter are caused to undergo a reaction in a pressure-proof housing under controlled conditions, the end products of which reaction are non-hazardous, as well as an apparatus for disposing of hazardous or high-energy materials with a pressure-proof housing in which the materials may be caused to undergo a reaction under controlled conditions, the end products of which reaction are non-hazardous.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the recovery of elemental sulfur from a gas mixture containing H.sub.2 S. The gas mixture is first subjected to desulfurization in a Claus installation which has a thermal part and a catalytic part resulting in the recovery of elemental sulfur. Sulfur compounds still contained in the Claus tail gas are then transformed into H.sub.2 S by means of hydrogenation and, if necessary, by means of hydrolysis and the hydrogenated Claus tail gas is subjected to catalytic direct oxidation of the H.sub.2 S to elemental sulfur. The Claus installation comprises exactly one catalytic stage and the catalytic direct oxidation also takes place in exactly one reactor. Sulfur recovery rates of 99.3% to 99.6% are achieved by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the desulfurization of a crude gas stream containing at least H.sub.2 S in a Claus plant, afterburning of Claus waste gas, and gas washing of the waste gas from the afterburning to remove SO.sub.2, in which SO.sub.2 recovered by the gas washing is recycled to a point before the Claus plant. According to the invention, within the Claus plant, between 60% and 90%, preferably between 67% and 85%, and especially preferably between 67% and 80% of the sulfur contained in the crude gas is separated directly from the crude gas, and between 33% and 10%, preferably between 25% and 10%, and especially preferably between 20% and 15% of the sulfur originally contained in the crude gas is recycled as SO.sub.2. The gas washing to remove SO.sub.2 is advantageously carried out with an absorbing agent having a physical action. A partial stream of the crude gas can be conveyed directly into the afterburning, bypassing the Claus plant.

Abstract: For the thermal conversion of hydrogen sulfide contained in a gaseous stream, the gaseous stream is introduced into a non-catalytic reactor together with sulfur dioxide obtained from a waste gas purification facility arranged downstream of the reactor. If necessary, the sulfur yield can be regulated by feeding additional fuel gas and/or reducing gas and/or process air into the reactor. The thus-produced vapor-phase sulfur is condensed out by cooling and is obtained as a product; the resultant gaseous stream extensively freed of sulfur compounds is discharged and fed into the aforesaid downstream waste gas purification facility.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for performing catalytic reactions with intensive heat of reaction in which a reaction mixture is conducted through a catalyst bed, from which the reaction heat is removed or to which it is fed by indirect heat exchange with a heat exchange medium. The catalyst bed adjoins at least one bed of a catalytically inert material, which also is in indirect heat exchange with the heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A process for performing catalytic reactions with intensive heat of reaction, in which a reaction mixture is conducted through a catalyst bed, from which the reaction heat is removed or to which it is fed by indirect heat exchange with a heat exchange medium. The catalyst bed adjoins at least one bed of a catalytically inert material, which also is in indirect heat exchange with the heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conducting a catalytic reaction of H.sub.2 S and SO.sub.2 to elementary sulfur provides for at least two catalyst beds and that at least one part of one of the catalyst beds is operated during the reaction at below the sulfur dew point, preferably below the solids condensation point, and above the water dew point. The adsorbed and deposited sulfur is removed by heating and evaporation. At least two serially connected and interchangeable reactors are employed in preferably a single flow direction in one cycle, and the flow direction of the gas stream is reversed in a second cycle by means of a multiway fitting.

Abstract: In a sulfur condenser and degasser system associated with a Claus furnace, the condenser comprises a wound cross-countercurrent heat exchanger. Liquid sulfur is passed into the top of the condenser as reflux so that ascending sulfur droplets can be coalesced and the condenser can act as a rectifying column. The degassing is preferably carried out substantially simultaneously with the formation of liquid sulfur.

Abstract: For producing elemental sulfur, SO.sub.2 is dissolved in a regenerable solvent, which is treated with a reducing agent, and the thus-formed sulfur is separated from the solution.

Abstract: For obtaining pure CO from a gaseous mixture, consisting predominantly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, e.g., that produced by the endothermic catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons in the presence of CO.sub.2 as the oxygen-yielding agent the gaseous mixture is compressed; residual CO.sub.2 and water are removed by adsorption; the resultant purified gaseous mixture is cooled to condense a predominant portion of CO; the condensed CO is pressure-reduced to remove dissolved H.sub.2 in the gaseous phase, the latter being recycled in gaseous form to the gaseous mixture; a fraction of the remaining liquid CO is partially vaporized and engine expanded to produce refrigeration for the system, and after engine expansion, is recycled to the gaseous mixture upstream of the compressor.

Abstract: For the low-temperature separation of a gaseous mixture containing essentially hydrogen, C.sub.1+ -hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, resulting in a purified gaseous mixture to be processed, after the low-temperature separation, in methanol synthesis, the gaseous mixture is cooled and subsequently fed to a scrubbing column to scrub out the C.sub.1+ -hydrocarbons with liquid CO. A product containing essentially hydrogen and carbon monoxide is obtained at the head of the scrubbing column. The resultant liquid CO, loaded essentially with the C.sub.1+ -hydrocarbons, is withdrawn as the sump product from the column and introduced into a C.sub.1+ -CO separating column.