Endothermic reaction of a feed gas heated by resistance heating

An array comprising a first and a second monolith of a structured catalyst for carrying out an endothermic reaction of a feed gas, wherein:

• a) the first and second monolith comprises a macroscopic structure of a first and second electrically conductive material, respectively, said macroscopic structure supporting a ceramic coating, wherein said ceramic coating supports a catalytically active material;
• b) each of said first and second monoliths has a number of flow channels formed therein for conveying said feed gas through the monoliths from a first end, where the feed gas enters, to a second end, where a product gas exits, wherein each of said first and second monoliths has a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end;
• c) the array comprises at least a first and a second conductor electrically connected to said first and second monoliths, respectively, and to an electrical power supply, wherein said electrical power supply is dimensioned to heat at least part of said first and second monoliths to a temperature of at least 500° C. by passing an electrical current through said macroscopic structure, wherein said first conductor is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the first monolith and the second conductor is electrically connected directly or indirectly to the second monolith, and wherein the conductors are connected at positions on the array closer to said first end than to said second end,
• d) said first and second monolith are electrically connected by a monolith bridge of a monolith bridge electrically conductive material;
• e) the array is configured to direct an electrical current to run from the first conductor through the first monolith to said second end, then through the bridge, and then through the second monolith to the second conductor;
• and
• f) said array has been produced by a process comprising the steps of:
• i) providing the electrically conductive materials of the first monolith, the second monolith and the monolith bridge in the form of three separate entities, and
• ii) joining the separate entities together by a method comprising a step of sintering or oxidizing treatment.