A multi-bed catalytic converter comprising at least a first catalytic bed, a second catalytic bed and a heat exchanger arranged between said first bed and said second bed, wherein said heat exchanger is arranged to transfer heat from the hot effluent of the first bed to a cooling medium; said heat exchanger comprises a plurality of stacked round plates, wherein adjacent plates define gaps therebetween, and the effluent of the first catalytic bed and the cooling medium are respectively fed into alternate gaps.

A method and reactor for performing exothermic reactions with parallel operated catalyst modules arranged in stacked order within a pressure shell and adapted to axial flow of process gas through one or more catalyst layers and at least one catalyst layer cooled by an intrabed heat exchanger.

A method for preparing a dried powder is provided. The facility includes a first drying chamber having a heating element and a second drying chamber. A mixture of powder and diluent is introduced into the first drying chamber. A pre-dried powder is transferred from the first drying chamber into the second drying chamber. A dried powder, including a recirculated amount of powder and a discharge amount of powder, is formed in the second drying chamber. The recirculated amount of the dried powder is transferred by a conveyor device from the second drying chamber into the first drying chamber. The discharge amount of the dried powder is discharged from the second drying chamber.

A hydrogenation method for increasing the yield of cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester is provided. The hydrogenation method uses a hydrogenating reaction tank, which is equipped with a hollow-shaft gas-introducing mixer having air-extracting, air-exhausting and mixing functions, to allow hydrogen gas to be uniformly dispersed in a reaction solution. A ruthenium-on-alumina (Ru/Al.sub.2O.sub.3) hydrogenation catalyst can be used for carrying out a hydrogenation reaction under gentle conditions. Therefore, the hydrogenation catalyst can be used in a reduced amount, the risk of side reaction(s) can be reduced, and the yield of cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester can reach at least 99% with a cis isomer proportion of at least 85.0%. The hydrogenation method shows extremely high economic benefit.

A heat exchanger having a housing, which defines a first volume (V1), and having at least one conduit, which defines a second volume (V2), wherein the housing has an inlet and an outlet and at least one first opening and at least one second opening located opposite the first opening relative to the housing, wherein the at least one conduit extends through the first volume (V1) and connects the at least one first opening of the housing and the at least one second opening of the housing, and is connected at the two ends of the conduit to the housing in a fluid-tight manner. In order to provide a heat exchanger which has an improved possibility for compensating for the differential thermal expansion of the housing and the conduits, the at least one conduit does not extend in a linear manner inside the first volume (V1), and the at least one conduit is monolithically connected in the region of the first opening of the conduit and/or the second opening of the conduit to the housing.

A fluidized gas reactor includes a system for preventing a fluidizing gas comprising a reactant from premature reaction. The fluidized gas reactor includes a reaction chamber including a particle bed; a gas distribution plate having a plurality of openings therethrough, wherein each opening opens into the reaction chamber; and a plurality of vertical fluidizing gas inlet tubes, each of the fluidizing gas inlet tubes being in fluid communication with one of the openings in the gas distribution plate. Each fluidizing gas inlet tube is configured to receive a fluidizing gas and transport the fluidizing gas to the reaction chamber. A fluidizing gas source provides a stream of the fluidizing gas to the fluidizing gas inlet tubes. A coolant system prevents the fluidizing gas from undergoing reaction before entering the reaction chamber. The coolant system has a fluid inlet; a coolant flow path in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, the coolant flow path being configured to cool each fluidizing gas inlet tube; and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the coolant flow path. Each fluidizing gas inlet tube may include a particle outlet and a valve system, where the valve system allows the fluidizing gas flow to the fluidizing gas inlet tubes to be stopped; and allows recovery of particles from the particle bed while the fluidizing gas flow is stopped.

A process for the synthesis of methanol from an input stream of synthesis gas, comprising the following steps: subjecting a portion of said input stream as feed stream to an adiabatic reactive step, providing an effluent containing methanol and unreacted synthesis gas; quenching of said effluent with a further portion of said input stream, providing a quenched stream; subjecting said quenched stream to an isothermal reactive step, providing a methanol-containing product stream.

A hydrogenation method for increasing the yield of cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester is provided. The hydrogenation method uses a hydrogenating reaction tank, which is equipped with a hollow-shaft gas-introducing mixer having air-extracting, air-exhausting and mixing functions, to allow hydrogen gas to be uniformly dispersed in a reaction solution. A ruthenium-on-alumina (Ru/Al.sub.2O.sub.3) hydrogenation catalyst can be used for carrying out a hydrogenation reaction under gentle conditions. Therefore, the hydrogenation catalyst can be used in a reduced amount, the risk of side reaction(s) can be reduced, and the yield of cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester can reach at least 99% with a cis isomer proportion of at least 85.0%. The hydrogenation method shows extremely high economic benefit.

A catalyst support may be provided that comprises: an inner core, which includes at least one phase change material; a coating layer around the inner core, which includes at least one metal oxide; a catalytically active layer, which is positioned in interstices of the coating layer and/or lying on the coating layer, wherein at least one catalytically active substance is included in the catalytically active layer; and a supporting layer which is positioned under the coating layer. A recycle reactor may be provided comprising a reservoir for accommodating a chemical hydrogen storage substance; the catalyst support; a screw conveyor for input and transport of the catalyst support; and a heating device with which the catalyst support can be heated. A method for releasing hydrogen from a chemical hydrogen storage substance may be provided.

The invention relates to a catalytic reactor suited for exothermal reactions with a radial process fluid flow and process fluid flow guides which ensures an extended fluid flow path and higher flow velocity and thereby enhanced cooling of the catalyst bed in the reactor.