Patent ID: 7645437

Claim:
A chemical reactor for processing a process fluid, comprising a bayonet-type, dual-tube counter-flow heat exchanger, comprising: an outer bayonet tube closed at the top and open at the bottom; an inner tube open at the top and bottom ends, and centered inside of the outer tube; for providing a return flow path from the closed end of the outer bayonet tube; an outer annular flow space formed between the inner surface of the outer bayonet tube and the outer surface of the inner tube; catalyst media disposed in the outer annular flow space near the closed end of the outer bayonet tube; a central baffle centered inside of the inner tube; and an inner annular flow space formed between the inner surface of the inner tube and the outer surface of the central baffle; wherein process fluid enters the reactor at the bottom of the outer bayonet tube, flows through the outer annular flow space towards the top of the outer bayonet tube, turns around at the top, returns back through the inner tube, flowing inside of the inner annular flow space, and exits at the bottom of the inner tube.