Patent ID: 6423279
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B01J,C01B,F23D

Abstract:
Endothermic catalytic reaction apparatus comprising, in combinationa) a U-shaped flow through tubular reaction chamber disposed upright within a combustion chamber, and a catalyst contained within said reaction chamber for the conversion of hydrocarbon to industrial gases by reaction with steam; said reaction chamber having an upper portion, and there being a convection chamber extending about said upper portion to enhance the transfer of heat from combustion products in the reaction chamber, and b) a radiant burner generally vertically disposed within the combustion chamber and having a gas permeable zone that promotes the flameless combustion of fuel and oxidant supplied to said burner in order to heat a metal fiber surface of the burner to incandescence for radiating heat to the reaction chamber; said radiant burner configured so that the angle of radiation is predominantly incident upon the surface of the tubular reaction chamber.