Patent ID: 7300635

Claim:
A catalytic reactor comprising a plurality of metal sheets arranged for defining first gas flow channels between adjacent sheets, means for defining second gas flow channels in proximity to said first gas flow channels, arranged for ensuring good thermal contact between gases in said first and said second gas flow channels; catalytic material on at least some surfaces within each flow channel, and header means for supplying gas mixtures to said gas flow channels, said header means being arranged for supplying different gas mixtures to said first and said second gas flow channels, said metal sheets being substantially flat and said gas flow channels being defined by grooves therein such that gases in said first and said second gas flow channels may differ in pressure by several atmospheres; portions of said sheet between said grooves being in contact with the adjacent metal sheet for providing thermal contact, and said metal sheets being bonded together as a stack; characterized by corrugated metal foils provided in gas flow channels, said foils being of an aluminium-bearing ferritic steel that forms an adherent oxide coating of alumina on surfaces of said foils when heated in air, and having said catalytic material on said surfaces.