Patent ID: 8173083

Claim:
A compact catalytic reactor comprising a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in said reactor, for carrying first and second fluids, respectively, wherein at least said first fluids undergo a chemical reaction; each first flow channel containing a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure incorporating a metal foil substrate, said catalyst structure defining flow paths therethrough; wherein said substrate comprises corrugated foil; wherein said catalyst structure incorporates a multiplicity of resilient strips which are bent out from the foil substrate peaks so as to project from the substrate peaks and to support said catalyst structure resiliently spaced away from at least one adjacent wall of said channel, each strip being connected to said catalyst structure only at an end of said strip, and being integral with said foil; and wherein said catalyst structure, excluding said projecting strips, is of height less than a corresponding height of said channel by between 0.1 mm and about 1 mm.