This 45-tonne chrome molybdenum methylation reactor was designed, manufactured, heat treated and extensively examined by Therco Serck in Sheffield.
The vertically mounted tubular packed-bed reactor converts a gas mixture to o-Cresol through an exothermic catalytic reaction. Iron oxide catalyst pellets are contained within approximately 2,900 tubes, with shell-side oil providing critical temperature control.
The design also accommodates periodic catalyst regeneration, where controlled combustion removes carbon build-up — a demanding reactor package requiring precise thermal management and high-integrity manufacture.