Catalytic reactor having disk-shaped, rotor-stator, reaction surfaces

Apparatus for the continuous reaction of reactants in flowable form in conjunction with a catalyst for carrying out chemical reactions comprising a rotatable rotor and a stationary stator, said rotor and stator having axially opposing continuously spaced working surfaces defining therebetween an open reaction area, means for rotating said rotor, inlet means for delivering reactants axially into said reaction area, outlet means for delivering reactants from said reaction area, said rotor and stator working surfaces each being in the form of a plurality of radially spaced axially projecting lands and axially recessed valleys, said lands and valleys being in intermeshed relationship whereby upon rotation of said rotor the reactants are subjected to alternate compression and expansion while in and during the passage thereof radially through said reaction area from the inlet means toward the outlet means, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially opening slots in said lands separating the latter into a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth, selected ones of said teeth including catalyst means for contacting said catalyst with said reactants at said reaction area.