An improved reactor comprising a shell and at least one reactor internal component. The reactor internal component includes a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes attached by at least one tube support plate comprising at least one radial strut and at least one bracket configured to secure to at least one tube of the tube bundle. The tubes are arranged in concentric bands about a longitudinal axis of the reactor. The reactor comprises a gas inlet plate, a catalyst support plate, and a top plate.

An improved reactor comprising a shell and at least one reactor internal component. The reactor internal component includes a tube bundle comprising a plurality of tubes attached by at least one tube support plate comprising at least one radial strut and at least one bracket configured to secure to at least one tube of the tube bundle. The tubes are arranged in concentric bands about a longitudinal axis of the reactor. The reactor comprises a gas inlet plate, a catalyst support plate, and a top plate.

A method for controlling temperature of a chemical reaction without measuring a temperature of the chemical reaction. Changes in mass of a chemical reaction are monitored and are used to calculate the temperature of the system. The reaction can be maintained at a desired temperature (T) without measuring the temperature. The disclosed method is useful for reactions that occur at non-equilibrium conditions where any measured temperature would presume steady-state conditions.

A packing member for use in a packed bed, preferably a support for use as a catalyst support in a packed bed reactor. The packing member includes ceramic material and has a geometric surface area per volume of ≥0.7 cm.sup.2/cm.sup.3 and a side crush strength of ≥250 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ≥1.5 cm.sup.2/cm.sup.3 and a side crush strength of ≥150 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ≥3 cm.sup.2/cm.sup.3 and a side crush strength of ≥60 kgf. The packing member optionally has a porosity of at least 6%, such as at least 15% or at least 20%.

A method for facilitating the distribution of the flow of one or more streams within a bed vessel is provided. Disposed within the bed vessel are internal materials and structures including multiple operating zones. One type of operating zone can be a processing zone composed of one or more beds of solid processing material. Another type of operating zone can be a treating zone. Treating zones can facilitate the distribution of the one or more streams fed to processing zones. The distribution can facilitate contact between the feed streams and the processing materials contained in the processing zones.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.

A method for facilitating the distribution of the flow of one or more streams within a bed vessel is provided. Disposed within the bed vessel are internal materials and structures including multiple operating zones. One type of operating zone can be a processing zone composed of one or more beds of solid processing material. Another type of operating zone can be a treating zone. Treating zones can facilitate the distribution of the one or more streams fed to processing zones. The distribution can facilitate contact between the feed streams and the processing materials contained in the processing zones.

Structured elements with capabilities for stream flow division and distribution and mitigation of undesired species that exceed those of conventionally available materials are provided. The structured elements provide increased opportunities for surface attraction, retention and coalescence of undesired species in a process stream. The functional contact surfaces of the structured elements can include one or more of the faces of cells, the surfaces of struts connecting cells, the surfaces of nodes connecting struts, and the surfaces of asperities or irregularities caused by channels, flutes, spikes, fibrils or filaments in or on the material surfaces.

The invention relates to an improved catalyst based on a tableted molded catalyst body, containing a metal-containing mixture, containing copper, zinc, and aluminum, with calcium aluminate as a binder material with a weight fraction of calcium aluminate in the range of 1.0% to 30.0%, for synthesizing methanol from synthesis gas. The invention further relates to the production of the catalyst and to the use of the catalyst in the synthesis of methanol from synthesis gas.

A reformer suitable for micro-scale design has horizontal catalyst tube(s) passing through a baffled radiant section for convective and radiant heat transfer to the tube(s). To reduce the footprint and/or to facilitate field assembly a combustion chamber and convection section can be oriented transversely with respect to the radiant section; the tube(s) can be horizontal and/or include structured catalyst; and/or the combustion chamber provides flameless combustion or produces a flame without impinging on the tubes. Also, a skid frame-mountable version of the reformer; and a process for transporting, assembling, and/or operating the steam methane reformer.