Multi-tube catalytic reaction apparatus

Catalytic reaction apparatus comprising:

• a furnace including wall means defining a furnace volume, said volume consisting essentially of an enhanced heat transfer portion and a burner cavity, said furnace also including exhaust means associated with said heat transfer portion and means for introducing fuel and an oxidant into said burner cavity;
• a plurality of closely packed tubular reactors disposed within said furnace volume each including a first portion extending into said burner cavity and a second portion disposed within said enhanced heat transfer portion, each of said reactors requiring heat to be supplied thereto and including catalyst disposed therein, each of said reactors including an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall spaced from said outer wall defining an annular reaction chamber therebetween for holding said catalyst, said reaction chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end being disposed in said first portion, said apparatus also including means spaced inwardly from said inner wall of each of said reactors and defining a narrow annular heat regeneration chamber therebetween coaxial with and adjacent said annular reaction chamber, said annular regeneration chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, each of said reactors including means for directing reaction products from said reaction chamber outlet end into said regeneration chamber inlet end and through said regeneration chamber countercurrent to the flow in said reaction chamber, said regeneration chamber being substantially isolated from heat in the burner cavity and enhanced heat transfer portion;
• means for introducing process fuel into said reactors;
• means for conducting reaction products away from said reactors;
• and
• heat transfer means disposed within said volume around and between said reactors substantially filling said enhanced heat transfer portion and defining an interface between said enhanced heat transfer portion and said burner cavity, said heat transfer means being further constructed and arranged to enhance heat transfer to said reactors and to distribute heat uniformly among and around said reactors over that portion thereof which is disposed within said enhanced heat transfer portion, said furnace being constructed and arranged so that furnace gases travel from said burner cavity into and through said enhanced heat transfer portion in a direction substantially countercurrent to the flow in said reaction chamber, and from said heat transfer portion to said furnace exhaust means.