Process for catalytic reaction of gases

Abstract

Apparatus and process for the catalytic gaseous phase reaction of a feed gas mixture. The apparatus includes a reactor having two ends which alternately serve as an inlet for the feed gas mixture and as an outlet for reacted gas and two stationary heat exchange/reaction zones connected by a center zone. Each of the heat exchange/reaction zones contains a layer of catalyst and the center zone contains a feed gas mixture inlet. A first distribution/collection zone is between one of the heat exchange/reaction zones and one of the ends of the reactor and a second distribution/collection zone is between the other heat exchange/reaction zone and the other end of the reactor. In the process, the heat exchange/reaction zones are alternately heated and cooled by periodically reversing the direction of flow of gas through the reactor. As an intermediate step in each complete reversal of the direction of flow of gas through the reactor, the feed gas is introduced into the center zone and reacted in the heat exchange/reaction zone which was being heated immediately prior to the intermediate step, reacted gas is discharged from the end of the reactor which served as the reacted gas outlet immediately prior to the intermediate step, unreacted feed gas trapped in the distribution/collection zone between the heat exchange/reaction zone which was being cooled and the end of the reactor which served as the feed gas inlet immediately prior to the intermediate step is displaced to the center zone, and the displaced unreacted gas is combined with feed gas mixture being introduced into the reactor.