Patent ID: 8431095

Claim:
A compact catalytic reactor, the reactor defining a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, the first flow channels providing flow paths for reactants for an endothermic reaction and containing a removable fluid-permeable catalyst structure to catalyze the endothermic reaction, and the second flow channels providing flow paths for reactants for an exothermic reaction and containing a removable fluid-permeable catalyst structure to catalyze the exothermic reaction, wherein the first flow channels have a straight portion extending from one end face of the reactor and a linking portion that communicates between the end of the straight portion and at least one side face of the reactor, wherein the straight portion and the linking portion are defined at least in part by fin structures, and wherein the fin structures of the linking portion are perforated, so that there are perforations that define a path aligned with each straight portion, and means are provided at the end of the reactor to obstruct each such path.