Catalytic reactor arrangement including catalytic reactor matrix

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS.
1 through 4 show possible folding patterns for forming a matrix for a catalytic reactor according to this invention from continuous sheets or strips of steel.
The steel strip utilized in this arrangement can be, for example, strips of the type illustrated in FIGS.
6 or 7.
The strip of FIG.
6 is formed of two flat steel sheets 1 and 1' with openings or cutouts 2 and an interposed corrugated sheet 3.
The sheets 1, 1' and 3 lie loose on each other and are not brazed before folding.
The strip of FIG.
7 is formed from a single sheet folded to form corrugations which have triangular cross sections and are arranged so that outwardly oriented surfaces 4 of each corrugation, as measured in the direction of arrow 5, are broader than the gaps 6 disposed between these surfaces.
When such a strip is folded to form layers, the corrugations cannot fold into one another.
It is, of course, possible to utilize other types of strips, but in each case care must be taken to avoid the use of strips which would "mesh" together when folded into layers.
The corrugated sheets or strips as described above are, in accordance with the present invention, folded in a meandering or serpentine fashion to form a matrix.
FIG.
1 shows a single continuous strip 7 folded to form a matrix which has a rectangular outer cross section and is insertable into a rectangular housing 8.
Simpler zigzag folding patterns are shown in FIGS.
2, 3, and 4.
Preweakened buckling zones, can be provided (for example, by means of perforations in the sheets) at the folding sites 9.
As a result, the continuous strip 7', as shown in FIGS.
2, 3, and 4, can be folded in a zigzag pattern to automatically create individual layers 7a, 7b, etc.
By feeding the strip into an appropriate chute so that it folds upon itself in the manner described earlier with reference to the continuous paper sheets.
As indicated in FIGS.
2 and 3, it is possible to provide the individual layers 7a and 7b with different fold lengths a and b, respectively so that an oval matrix is produced for insertion into oval tubular housing 10 of FIG