Patent ID: 8361405

Claim:
A catalytic membrane reactor assembly comprising: a vessel having an inner volume defining a reaction zone; an inlet configured to receive a reactant gas, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the reaction zone; a retentate outlet configured to discharge a retentate gas, wherein the retentate outlet is in fluid communication with the reaction zone; a plurality of membrane tubes disposed within the reaction zone, wherein the membrane tubes are selectively permeable to a permeate gas; a convective coil disposed within the reaction zone, the convective coil configured to heat the reaction zone, wherein a first cylindrical helix of the convective coil is coiled around the plurality of membrane tubes; a catalyst disposed within the void space within the inner volume of the vessel, the catalyst configured to enhance a reaction between the reactant gas; a hot fluid inlet in fluid communication with the convective coil; and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the convective coil, the fluid outlet configured to remove hot fluid from the convective coil.