IMPROVED EXOTHERMIC CATALYTIC REACTOR

The present invention is generally directed (Figure 2) to an improved process and apparatus for the production of gaseous products such as ammonia by catalytic, exothermic gaseous reactions and is specifically directed to an improved process which utilizes a gas-phase catalytic reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia. This improved process for the production of ammonia utilizes an ammonia converter apparatus 110 designed to comprise at least two catalyst stages 102 and 106 and a reheat exchanger 104 so arranged as to provide indirect heat exchange of the gaseous effluent 107 from the last reactor catalyst stage 106 with the effluent from at least one other reactor catalyst stage (e.g., 103) having a higher temperature level in orderto reheat the effluent from the last reactor catalyst stage 107 prior to exiting the reactorvessel 110, thereby facilitating higher level heat recovery from the reactor effluent.