Induction-heated reactors for gas phase catalyzed reactions

An apparatus for conducting elevated temperature, gas phase, catalyzed chemical reactions for the preparation of HCN comprising:

• a reaction chamber defining a hollow cylinder comprised of a substantially gas-impermeable electrically non-conductive material,
• a catalyst/susceptor defining an electrically conductive and gas-permeable hollow cylinder positioned coaxially within said reaction chamber and comprised of one or more platinum group metals in a form selected from porous foam, or a filamentary structure comprising one or more of braided wire mesh, woven wire mesh, knitted wire fabric, bobbin-wound wire filaments or spirally-wound sock or sleeve, and
• an induction coil surrounding said catalyst/susceptor and energizable by a power source capable of supplying alternating current,
• whereby said catalyst/susceptor is heated by induction from an alternating magnetic field to a temperature sufficient to effect the chemical reaction.