| CPC C01C 3/0229 (2013.01) [B01J 12/007 (2013.01); B01J 19/0013 (2013.01); B01J 19/2415 (2013.01); C07C 253/24 (2013.01); B01J 2219/00135 (2013.01); B01J 2219/00155 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |

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1. A reactor system for carrying out the reaction of a feed gas comprising an alkane and ammonia to hydrogen cyanide and/or a nitrile in the presence of a catalyst, said reactor system comprising:
a supply of feed gas comprising an alkane and ammonia;
a structured catalyst arranged for catalyzing the reaction of said feed gas, said structured catalyst comprising a macroscopic structure of an electrically conductive material, said macroscopic structure supporting a ceramic coating, wherein said ceramic coating supports a catalytically active material;
a pressure shell housing said structured catalyst, said pressure shell comprising an in-let for letting in said feed gas and an outlet for letting out product gas, wherein said inlet is positioned so that said feed gas enters said structured catalyst in a first end of said structured catalyst and said product gas exits said structured catalyst from a second end of said structured catalyst;
a heat insulation layer between said structured catalyst and said pressure shell;
at least two conductors electrically connected to said structured catalyst and to an electrical power supply placed outside said pressure shell, wherein said electrical power supply is dimensioned to heat at least part of said structured catalyst to a temperature of at least 500° C. by passing an electrical current through said macroscopic structure, wherein said at least two conductors are connected to the structured catalyst at a position on the structured catalyst closer to said first end of said structured catalyst than to said second end of said structured catalyst, and wherein the structured catalyst is constructed to direct an electrical current to run from one conductor substantially to the second end of the structured catalyst and return to a second of said at least two conductors;
an outlet for a product stream comprising hydrogen cyanide and/or a nitrile.
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