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: 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 conducting exothermic catalytic reactions, e.g., production of methane from CO.sub.x and H.sub.2, a reactor is cooled internally by indirect heat exchange with a single heat exchanger provided in the reactor feed inlet region with a gradually increasing surface intensity (defined as the product of the overall coefficient of thermal conductivity, (h), of the tube wall times the cooling surface density, m.sup.2 /m.sup.3) reaching a maximum intensity at a central zone of the heat exchanger where the preponderant cooling occurs. A zone of gradually decreasing cooling surface intensity may also be provided at the outlet end of the reactor, and uncooled adiabatic zones may be incorporated in the zones immediate the inlet and outlet ends of the reactor.