Apparatus and process for preparing silanes

An apparatus for preparing silanes of the general formula HnSiCl4, where n=1, 2, 3 and/or 4 by dismutation of at least one chlorinated silane in the presence of a catalyst, wherein said apparatus comprises:

• at least one distillation column comprising a column bottom, a column top, at least one feed inlet, a plurality of product offtakes, and at least one chimney tray;
• and
• at least one side reactor comprising a catalyst bed having an upper edge, the side reactor being connected to the distillation column via at least three pipes comprising a first pipe, a second pipe, and a third pipe,
• wherein the side reactor, the catalyst bed, the first pipe, the second pipe, and the third pipe are positioned in relation to the chimney tray and the distillation column,
• the first pipe is connected to the distillation column at a position higher than the upper edge of the catalyst bed to discharge a condensate from the chimney tray into the catalyst bed,
• the first pipe comprises a branch pipe which has an opening in the distillation column at a position below the chimney tray and is configured to regulate a flow of the condensate,
• the second pipe is connected to the distillation column at a position below the chimney tray and the upper edge of the catalyst bed to discharge a liquid phase from the side reactor to the distillation column, and
• the third pipe is connected to the distillation column at a position higher than the chimney tray to discharge a gas phase from the side reactor to the distillation column.