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Abstract

The present invention is generally related to the thermal optimization of a catalytic reactor to improve its energy and conversion efficiency for the production of CO from various mixtures of CO₂ and H₂. This process involves feeding heated CO₂ and H₂ mixtures into a reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) catalytic reactor that has been designed to maintain the temperature changes of the gas mixture to within about 150° F. (preferably 100 F; most preferably 50 F) from the inlet to the outlet of the reactor. This is made possible by improved RWGS catalytic reactor designs—both to provide heat input into the reactor, and modified reaction concepts that reduce the projected temperature drop. Three major categories of temperature drop mitigation are identified; examples and subordinate approaches of each are taught. Taken singly or in any combination, these approaches make it possible to operate the reactor nearly isothermally.

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First Claim