Simplified plate channel reactor arrangement

A reaction apparatus for contacting reactants with a catalyst in a reaction zone while indirectly heating or cooling the reactants in the reaction zone by indirect heat exchange with a heat exchange fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of spaced apart plates defining a first plurality of channels having a fluid inlet at one end and a second plurality of channels having a fluid outlet at one end;
• the plurality of spaced apart plates including imperforate plates for blocking fluid flow between adjacent channels with perforated plates alternating with each imperforate plate to define a continuous flow path with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet at the same end of the first and second plurality of channels:
• and,
• at least one section of perforations to communicate fluid between the first and second plurality of channels wherein at least a portion of the spaced apart plates define perforations at one of their ends with each section of perforations extending over only a portion of the plate that defines the perforations, the perforations on the perforated plates alternating from one end of the channels to the other to define independent flow paths through first and second groups of first and second channel pairs and a first manifold at one end of the channels collecting and distributing fluid from the first group and a second manifold at the opposite end of the channels collecting and distributing fluid from the second group of first and second channel pairs.