A steam reformer is provided which comprises at least one externally-heated tube. Each tube comprises a first catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst in particulate form and a second catalyst supported on a structure, wherein said first catalyst bed is located between the inlet of the tube and the second catalyst supported on said structure. A process for steam reforming of a feed gas mixture using said steam reformer is also provided.

A catalytic reactor according to an embodiment includes a catalytic unit including at least one catalyst having a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of passages extending in an axial direction are formed, a reactor housing accommodating the catalytic unit, and a seal plate sealing between an outer periphery of the catalytic unit and an inner periphery of the reactor housing. The seal plate seals between the outer periphery of the catalytic unit and the inner periphery of the reactor housing at an upstream end portion of the catalytic unit with respect to a flow of a fluid flowing in the reactor housing.

A catalytic reactor according to an embodiment includes a catalytic unit including at least one catalyst having a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of passages extending in an axial direction are formed, a reactor housing accommodating the catalytic unit, and a seal plate sealing between an outer periphery of the catalytic unit and an inner periphery of the reactor housing. The seal plate seals between the outer periphery of the catalytic unit and the inner periphery of the reactor housing at an upstream end portion of the catalytic unit with respect to a flow of a fluid flowing in the reactor housing.

A packing system includes a first packing element layer including a plurality of blades and a second packing element layer including a plurality of blades. The packing system includes intra-layer variation and/or inter-layer variation. Intra-layer variation includes (i) varying spacing between blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, (ii) varying sizes of the blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, and/or (iii) varying angle of inclination of the blades within the first and/or second packing element layer. Inter-layer variation includes the blades of the first packing layer having a first spacing, a first size and a first angle of inclination, and the blades of the second packing layer having a second spacing, a second size, and a second angle of inclination. The second spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination is different from the first spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination.

A packing system includes a first packing element layer including a plurality of blades and a second packing element layer including a plurality of blades. The packing system includes intra-layer variation and/or inter-layer variation. Intra-layer variation includes (i) varying spacing between blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, (ii) varying sizes of the blades within the first and/or the second packing element layer, and/or (iii) varying angle of inclination of the blades within the first and/or second packing element layer. Inter-layer variation includes the blades of the first packing layer having a first spacing, a first size and a first angle of inclination, and the blades of the second packing layer having a second spacing, a second size, and a second angle of inclination. The second spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination is different from the first spacing, size, and/or angle of inclination.

A gas-solid contacting system (100) with structured packing (108) is disclosed. The structured packing (108) comprises a gas header (102) with an inlet to receive a gas. A plurality of vertically aligned tubes (104) is fluidically connected to the gas header (102), wherein each vertically aligned tube (104) comprises openings (180)to distribute the gas at different heights in a radial direction. A structured packing element (106) is arranged on each vertically aligned tube (104), wherein the structured packing element (106) comprises one or more plates attached to the vertically aligned tube (104) to create a convoluted 3-dimensional flow path for smooth flow and radial distribution of a solid particulate stream.

A fill sheet for cooling heat transfer fluid in a cooling tower includes an air intake end, an air outlet end, a top edge and a bottom edge. The air outlet end is positioned opposite the air intake end along a lateral axis. The top edge connects the air intake end and the air outlet end and the bottom edge also connects the air intake end and the air outlet end. The bottom edge is positioned opposite the top edge along a vertical axis. A plurality of flutes extends generally parallel to the lateral axis between the air intake end and the air outlet end. An offset extends generally parallel to the vertical axis. A first flute of the plurality of flutes transitions from a first peak at a first side of the offset to a first valley at a second side of the offset.

A fill sheet for cooling heat transfer fluid in a cooling tower includes an air intake end, an air outlet end, a top edge and a bottom edge. The air outlet end is positioned opposite the air intake end along a lateral axis. The top edge connects the air intake end and the air outlet end and the bottom edge also connects the air intake end and the air outlet end. The bottom edge is positioned opposite the top edge along a vertical axis. A plurality of flutes extends generally parallel to the lateral axis between the air intake end and the air outlet end. An offset extends generally parallel to the vertical axis. A first flute of the plurality of flutes transitions from a first peak at a first side of the offset to a first valley at a second side of the offset.

A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.

A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.