Catalytic reactor

A catalytic reactor comprising

• a plurality of metal sheets arranged as a stack, said sheets being shaped so as to define a plurality of side-by-side first flow channels between adjacent sheets and to define a plurality of side-by-side second flow channels between adjacent sheets, first flow channels alternating with second flow channels in the stack, and such that there is good thermal contact between fluids in the first and the second flow channels, the sheets being bonded to ensure fluid-tight channels, and such that the fluids in the first and the second fluid flow channels may differ in pressure;
• and
• supply means for supplying fluids to said flow channels, said supply means enabling different fluids to be supplied to said first and second flow channels;
• wherein permeable metal heat-transfer layers are provided within said first flow channels, said metal heat-transfer layers being removable and incorporating a catalytic coating comprising a combustion catalyst for causing combustion of a gas mixture flowing in said first flow channels,
• wherein each first flow channel encloses one of said metal heat-transfer layers that incorporate a combustion catalyst,
• wherein each metal heat-transfer layer has a structure that is permeable to the gas flow along the first flow channel, and
• wherein said combustion catalyst in at least a first part of said channel is coated with a porous inert ceramic layer for restricting a reaction rate of said combustion.

A catalytic reactor comprising

• a plurality of flat metal sheets arranged in a stack, wherein said stack comprises a first sheet, a second sheet, and a third sheet, wherein said first sheet and said second sheet define a plurality of fluid tight first flow channels therebetween, wherein said second sheet and said third sheet define a plurality of fluid tight second flow channels therebetween, wherein said metal sheets arranged in the said stack are bonded together;
• headers for supplying fluids to said first and second flow channels, wherein said headers are capable of supplying different fluids to said first and second flow channels;
• and
• a permeable and removable metal heat-transfer layer within at least each first flow channel, wherein said metal heat-transfer layer comprises a catalytic coating on at least one surface thereof, wherein said catalytic coating is not provided on any surface of said heat-transfer layer that comes into contact with walls of the respective first flow channel.