Patent ID: 8444939

Claim:
A reactor module for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprising a generally rectangular reactor block comprising a stack of plates defining a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in the block, for carrying first and second fluids respectively, the first fluid being a gas mixture which undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and the second fluid being a coolant fluid; wherein the first flow channels extend in a generally vertical direction between upper and lower faces of the reactor block, there being multiple side-by-side first flow channels between successive plates in the block; and wherein the second flow channels extend in directions generally parallel to those of the first flow channels in a generally vertical direction, and communicate through horizontally-extending distributor chambers with inlet and outlet ports at one or more side faces of the reactor block, so the distributor chambers extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the first flow channels; the second flow channels are defined between successive flat plates that are spaced apart by edge strips and by corrugated sheets; and wherein each first flow channel contains a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure incorporating a metal substrate.