Process and catalyst structure employing intergal heat exchange with

Abstract

This invention is an improved catalyst structure and its use in highly exothermic processes like catalytic combustion. This improved catalyst structure employs integral heat exchange in an array of longitudinally disposed adjacent reaction passage-ways or channels, which are either catalyst-coated or catalyst-free, wherein the configuration of the catalyst-coated channels differs from the non-catalyst channels such that, when applied in exothermic reaction processes, such as catalytic combustion, the desired reaction is promoted in the catalytic channels and substantially limited in the non-catalyst channels. The invention further comprises an improved reaction system and process for combustion of a fuel wherein catalytic combustion using a catalyst structure employing integral heat exchange, preferably the improved structures of the invention, affords a partially-combusted, gaseous product which is passed to a homogeneous combustion zone where complete combustion is promoted by means of a flameholder.