| CPC H05B 6/06 (2013.01) [H05B 6/108 (2013.01)] | 25 Claims |

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1. A method of heating a reactor tube, the method comprising:
providing a reactor heating system comprising:
one or more reactor tubes, wherein the one or more reactor tubes comprise a catalyst disposed therein;
at least two conductors adjacent to each reactor tube, and electrically isolated therefrom; and
a source of electrical energy coupled to the at least two conductors;
supplying electrical energy to each of the at least two conductors, wherein supplying electrical energy to the at least two conductors induces electrical currents in the one or more reactor tubes and heats the one or more reactor tubes;
controlling the temperature of the one or more reactor tubes by adjusting at least one of the current level and the frequency of the electrical energy supplied to the at least two conductors; and
passing a reactant through the one or more reactor tubes to react the reactant, wherein the temperature of the catalyst and the reactant passing through the one or more reactor tubes is controlled by controlling the temperature of the one or more reactor tubes.
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