High temperature chemical reactor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
A high temperature reactor wherein substantially all of the heat is supplied by radiation coupling comprising: a.
a reactor tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, the interior of the tube defining a reactor chamber, the reactor tube being made of a material which is substantially transparent to radiation and including an inner wall and an outer wall which define an annular channel therebetween throughout which a fluid medium which is substantially transparent to radiation can be circulated to cool the reactor tube; b.
a diffuser disposed adjacent the inlet end of the reactor tube through which an inert gas which is substantially transparent to radiation is directed under pressure, and thereafter in substantially laminar flow axially through the reactor chamber to provide a protective blanket for the inner wall of the reactor tube; c.
means for introducing at least one reactant into the reactor chamber through the inlet end of the reactor tube in a predetermined path axially of the reactor tube, the reactants being confined substantially centrally within the reactor chamber and out of contact with the inner wall of the reactor tube by the protective blanket; and d.
a radiant energy source located externally of the outer wall of the reactor tube and disposed within a reflector, the reflector being configured and positioned to focus radiant energy generated by the source to at least a portion of the predetermined path of the reactants within the reactor chamber.
2.
A high temperature reactor wherein substantially all of the heat is supplied by radiation coupling comprising: a.
a reactor tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, the interior of the tube defining a reactor chamber, the reactor tube being made of a porous material which is substantially transparent to radiation; b.
means for introducing an inert fluid under pressure into the reactor chamber through the porous tube wall to constitute a protective blanket for the radially inward surface of the reactor tube, the inert fluid being substantially transparent to radiation; c