Abstract: A compact catalytic reactor defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, for an endothermic reaction and for an exothermic reaction respectively, and each containing a removable fluid-permeable catalytic insert to catalyze the reaction. The flow channels have a straight portion extending from one end face of the reactor and a linking portion that communicates between the end of the straight portion and at least one side face of the reactor, wherein the straight portion and the linking portion are defined at least in part by fin structures. The fm structures of the linking portion may be perforated, so that there are perforations aligned with each straight portion, but at the end of the reactor each line of perforations is obstructed. Removal of the obstructions enables the catalytic inserts to be pushed out of the flow channels when they are spent.

Abstract: A compact catalytic reactor defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, for an endothermic reaction and for an exothermic reaction respectively, and each containing a removable fluid-permeable catalytic insert to catalyze the reaction. The flow channels have a straight portion extending from one end face of the reactor and a linking portion that communicates between the end of the straight portion and at least one side face of the reactor, wherein the straight portion and the linking portion are defined at least in part by fin structures. The fm structures of the linking portion may be perforated, so that there are perforations aligned with each straight portion, but at the end of the reactor each line of perforations is obstructed. Removal of the obstructions enables the catalytic inserts to be pushed out of the flow channels when they are spent.

Abstract: In an apparatus for vacuum web coating, an evaporation means has a plurality of separately spaced outlet nozzles through which vapour is conveyed to a deposition zone at the surface of a chilled rotatable drum in a vacuum chamber over which drum the substrate web is advanced by a web transport system. The outlet nozzle arrangement advantageously comprises a plurality of linear slots disposed transversely to the web substrate path to deliver vapour at positions disposed sequentially in the direction of the web substrate advance, the nozzle outlets being disposed on an arcuate surface around, but spaced from, the curved surface of the rotatable drum. The apparatus is particularly suitable for applying thick coatings of material such as metal on paper or plastic films.