A process for conducting exothermic equilibrium reactions, especially for the performance of methanol synthesis by heterogeneously catalysed conversion of synthesis gas, is proposed, which enables readjustment and hence optimization of the reaction conditions along the longitudinal coordinate of the reactor. For this purpose, in the process according to the invention, a reactor is used which is divided into a multitude of series-connected reaction cells, each of which comprises a preheating zone, a cooled reaction zone, one or more cooling zones and a deposition zone for condensable reaction products. In this way, the reaction conditions are adjustable to the respective, local composition of the reaction mixture and variable over the reactor length.

A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

A reforming catalyst with improved surface area is provided by using high surface area alumina doped with a stabilizer metal as a catalyst support. The surface area of the catalyst can be higher than a typical reforming catalyst, and the surface area can also be maintained under high temperature operation. This can allow use of the catalyst for reforming in a higher temperature environment while maintaining a higher surface area, which can allow for improved dispersion and/or activity of an active metal such as rhodium on the catalyst support. The catalyst can be suitable for production of syngas from natural gas or other hydrocarbon-containing feeds.

A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

The invention relates to a reactor for performing exothermic equilibrium reactions, especially for producing methanol from synthesis gas in a multistage synthesis with intermediate condensation of the reaction product. The reactor according to the invention has a reactor shell and a multitude of series-connected and mutually fluid-connected reactor cells disposed within the reactor shell, where each of the reactor cells includes a reaction apparatus, a cooling-down apparatus and a phase separation apparatus as reactor cell elements. The reactor has a multitude of reactor planes disposed in a mutually parallel arrangement within the reactor shell, where reactor cell elements of the same kind are disposed in the same reactor plane. The inventive arrangement of the reactor cell elements enables the building of a compact reactor and reduces material stresses within the reactor by the avoidance of large temperature differences within the reactor shell.

In the technical field of the preparation of alicyclic compounds, a ring hydrogenation of aromatic compounds prepares alicyclic compounds in a process for preparing alicyclic compounds. The alicyclic compounds may preferably be alicyclic carboxylic acids and esters thereof. An apparatus for carrying out this process may further be provided.

Reforming alcohol is disclosed. Alcohol is introduced into a conduit of an alcohol reformer so that the alcohol flows through a catalyst stage within the conduit. The catalyst stage includes an alcohol reforming catalyst, and a heat transfer member comprising thermally conductive material. The heat transfer member is in thermal contact with the conduit and the alcohol reforming catalyst. Simultaneously, exhaust gas is introduced from an internal combustion engine into an exhaust channel. The exhaust gas in the exhaust channel contacts fins extending outward from the conduit so that heat from the exhaust gas is transferred through the fins, the conduit, and the heat transfer member to the alcohol reforming catalyst.

A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.

Systems and methods are provided for activation of noble metal catalysts that are supported on siliceous supports. The activation method can include limiting the amount of water vapor pressure and/or the time of exposure to the water vapor pressure during heating of the catalyst at temperatures of 50 C. or less. This can be achieved by introducing heated gas into multiple reactors of a multi-reactor system at the same time. A suitable system for introducing heated gas into multiple reactors can correspond to a system with multiple heated hydrogen lines for delivery of heated hydrogen to a plurality of reactors within a multi-reactor system.

In one aspect, the invention includes a reactor apparatus for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, the apparatus including: a reactor component comprising a refractory material in oxide form, the refractory material having a melting point of at least 2060 C. and which remains in oxide form when exposed to a gas having an oxygen partial pressure of 10.sup.15 bar, a carbon partial pressure above the carbon partial pressure of the zirconium carbide and zirconium oxide phase transition at the same temperature, and at temperatures below the temperature of the zirconium triple point at the oxygen partial pressure of 10.sup.15 bar; and ii) when exposed to a gas having an oxygen partial pressure of 10.sup.15 bar and at temperatures above the zirconium triple point at the oxygen partial pressure of 10.sup.15 bar. In some embodiments, the reactor comprises a regenerative pyrolysis reactor apparatus and in other embodiments it includes a reverse flow regenerative reactor apparatus. In other aspects, this invention includes a method for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock using a pyrolysis reactor system comprising the step of providing in a heated region of a pyrolysis reactor system for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, apparatus comprising the above refractory material.