An expandable center arrangement for a reactor is disclosed. The arrangement comprises an expansion tube; a center support inside the expansion tube and three or more spring elements. The spring elements are fastened to the center support and arc out to the expansion tube. A reactor is also disclosed.

The invention includes a reactor installation device comprising a flexible band, a first tab, a second tab, and a mechanical stop. The flexible band has a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first tab is attached at or near the first end, the second tab is attached at or near the second end, and the both tabs are attached at or near the top edge of the flexible band. The mechanical stop is attached to the flexible band, the first tab, and/or the second tab, between the top edge and the bottom edge of the flexible band. The flexible band is capable of being bent into the shape of a circle by bringing the first and second tabs into contact. The invention also includes a method of inserting a skirt seal into a stackable structural reactor using the reactor installation device.

The invention includes a reactor installation device comprising a flexible band, a first tab, a second tab, and a mechanical stop. The flexible band has a first end, a second end, a top edge and a bottom edge. The first tab is attached at or near the first end, the second tab is attached at or near the second end, and the both tabs are attached at or near the top edge of the flexible band. The mechanical stop is attached to the flexible band, the first tab, and/or the second tab, between the top edge and the bottom edge of the flexible band. The flexible band is capable of being bent into the shape of a circle by bringing the first and second tabs into contact. The invention also includes a method of inserting a skirt seal into a stackable structural reactor using the reactor installation device.

An expandable center arrangement for a reactor is disclosed. The arrangement comprises an expansion tube; a center support inside the expansion tube and three or more spring elements. The spring elements are fastened to the center support and arc out to the expansion tube. A reactor is also disclosed.

A combined reformer and purifier for converting a hydrogen-rich feedstock into purified hydrogen is described. The combined reformer and purifier can include at least one compression plate as an assembly comprising at least one first cavity comprising a catalyst effective to liberate hydrogen from said hydrogen-rich feedstock and forming a hydrogen-rich mixed gas. The compression plate assembly can also include at least one second cavity enclosing a burner or oxidative catalytic reactor to oxidize said hydrogen-depleted raffinate or said hydrogen-rich feedstock to supply heat to the at least one first cavity containing said catalyst. The compression plate assembly can also include an interior surface proximal to said membrane and an exterior surface distal to said membrane. The compression plate assembly can also include a third cavity effective to preheat said hydrogen-rich feedstock prior to being delivered to said catalyst.

Certain configurations described herein comprise a reformer that is operative to liberate hydrogen gas from a hydrogen-rich feedstock in a catalytic reforming reaction, where a hydrogen purifier is effective to remove and purify hydrogen gas, in a thermally integrated assembly combining the reformer and purifier. Methods of using the combined reformer/purifier are also described.

A chemical flow reactor comprising: a housing having an inlet and an outlet; at least one heat exchange pipe extending through the interior of the housing; a space defined between the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of Gas Flow the at least one pipe, said space being in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet; and a plurality of plates stacked within said space forming a stacked plate assembly between the inlet and the outlet, each plate comprising at least one hole through which the at least one pipe extends such that the at least one pipe extends through the stacked plate assembly. An active chemical, such as a catalyst, is disposed on each plate.