Abstract: A steam reforming furnace has a plurality of substantially vertical reformer tubes. Each reformer tube has a feed inlet at its lower end, an outlet at its upper end, and a catalyst containment zone disposed intermediate its upper and lower ends and contains a charge of a particulate steam reforming catalyst which is insufficient to fill completely the catalyst containment zone. An upper retainer means is mounted at the upper end of the catalyst containment zone and is permeable to gas or vapor but retains particles of the catalyst in the catalyst containment zone. A follower means is movably mounted in the catalyst containment zone beneath the charge catalyst for movement upwardly from a lower end of the containment zone upon upward flow of gas through the catalyst containment zone at a rate beyond a threshold rate.

Abstract: A can end includes a peripheral cover hook a chuck wall dependent from the interior of the cover hook, an outwardly concave annular reinforcing bead extending radially inwards from the chuck wall, and a central panel supported by an inner portion of the reinforcing bead, characterized in that, the chuck wall is inclined to an axis perpendicular to the exterior of the central panel at an angle between 20° and 60°, and the concave cross-sectional radius of the reinforcing bead is less than 0.75 mm.

Abstract: A steam reforming furnace (F) has a plurality of substantially vertical reformer tubes (T). Each reformer tube (T) has a feed inlet (P) at its lower end, an outlet at its upper end, and a catalyst containment zone disposed intermediate its upper and lower ends and contains a charge of a particulate steam reforming catalyst (C) which is insufficient to fill completely the catalyst containment zone. An upper retainer means (3) is mounted at the upper end of the catalyst containment zone and is permeable to gas or vapour but retains particles of the catalyst (C) in the catalyst containment zone. A follower means (4; 24) is movably mounted in the catalyst containment zone beneath the charge catalyst (C) for movement upwardly from a lower end of the containment zone upon upward flow of gas through the catalyst containment zone at a rate beyond a threshold rate.