Method to equalize heat distribution in reactor tube

Abstract

There is provided a method for equalizing heat distribution across a catalyst in a tube reactor comprising loading each tube of the tube reactor with one or more catalytic monoliths.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for equalizing heat distribution across a catalyst in a tube reactor comprising loading each tube of the tube reactor with one or more catalytic monoliths.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said catalytic monolith is a ceramic monolith support impregnated with one or more catalytically reactive metals.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said catalytic monolith is an iron oxide useful in the catalytic dehydrogenation of ethyl benzene to styrene; and wherein flow paths in the catalytic monoliths are oriented to direct heat towards a center of each tube.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said catalytically reactive metal is selected from the group nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum; wherein said catalytic monolith is useful in the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons; and wherein flow paths in the catalytic monoliths are oriented to direct heat towards a center of each tube.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said catalytically reactive metal is silver; wherein said catalytic monolith is useful in the vapor phase production of epoxides; and wherein flow paths in the catalytic monoliths are oriented to direct heat away from a center of each tube.