Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a hydrocarbon, said process comprising partially oxidising in a reaction zone, a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting oxidation of the hydrocarbon, wherein prior to said partial oxidation, said mixture comprising the hydrocarbon and the oxygen-containing gas is passed through a heat exchanger. Preferably the heat exchanger is a compact heat exchanger. Prior to passage through the heat exchanger a mixture of hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing gas may be passed through a baffle zone which comprises a housing containing at least one baffle plate. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the production of an olefin such as ethylene by the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support grid having the form of a web of vertically disposed plates said web of plates comprising (a) a network of strands of plate segments connected by junctions, the said strands terminating only at the periphery of the grid, and (b) one or more internal plate branches, each plate segment being joined at one end to a junction with at least two other plate segments and at the other end either being joined to a junction with at least two other plate segments or terminating at or near C the periphery of the grid, said internal branch comprising a plate having a free end within the grid and being joined at one end thereof to a segment or to another branch, characterised in that in horizontal cross-section through the grid each segment has at least two angular and/or curved portions which alternate in direction.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a hydrocarbon, said process comprising partially oxidising in a reaction zone, a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is capable of supporting oxidation of the hydrocarbon, wherein prior to said partial oxidation, said mixture comprising the hydrocarbon and the oxygen-containing gas is passed through a heat exchanger. Preferably the heat exchanger is a compact heat exchanger. Prior to passage through the heat exchanger a mixture of hydrocarbon and oxygen-containing gas may be passed through a baffle zone which comprises a housing containing at least one baffle plate. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the production of an olefin such as ethylene by the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons.