Multi-branch reactor

A reactor comprising a reactor housing defining a reactor volume, the reactor housing having a first end and a second end spaced from and disposed opposite the first end, the reactor housing comprising:

• an inlet manifold disposed at the first end of the reactor housing, the inlet manifold comprising a plurality of furcating inlet branches that extend into the reactor volume, the plurality of furcating inlet branches defining fluid inlet channels that extend therethrough, the plurality of furcating inlet branches being perforated such that the fluid inlet channels are in fluid communication with the reactor volume;
• an outlet manifold disposed at the second end of the reactor housing, the outlet manifold comprising a plurality of furcating outlet branches that extend into the reactor volume, the plurality of furcating outlet branches defining fluid outlet channels that extend therethrough, the plurality of furcating outlet branches being perforated such that the fluid outlet channels are in fluid communication with the reactor volume, wherein the plurality of furcating inlet branches are nested within the plurality of furcating outlet branches, the plurality of furcating inlet branches being intertwined with the plurality of furcating outlet branches;
• and
• a percolation region disposed in the reactor volume between and in fluid communication with the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, the percolation region comprising a catalyst.

A fixed-bed reactor system for heat and mass transfer in chemical reactions involving catalyst powders, comprising:

• a reactor housing defining a reactor volume;
• an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold disposed at opposite ends of the reactor housing;
• a plurality of nested, interdigitated inlet and outlet branches extending from the inlet and outlet manifolds, respectively, into the reactor volume, the inlet and outlet branches having perforated channel walls;
• and
• a percolation region disposed between the plurality of nested, interdigitated inlet and outlet branches configured for uniform heating and enhanced mass and heat transfer, the percolation region comprising a catalyst.