I have an unusual application that requires preheating a platinum reaction grid within a 16" dia. reactor. The process is vapor phase, and the grid runs at 2,100 to 2,200^oF (1,149 to 1,204^oC) autocatalytically once in operation. But, I need to preheat the reactor/grid for startup, and I'd rather not. Has anyone had experience with a similar application? Would microwave technology work? -- H.W.

You could try to use an electrical current to heat the platinum reaction grid. See Indeeco's article (January/February 1999, p. 69) on impedance heating. -- Claud Sibert, SibertSoft, claud.e.sibert@worldnet.att.net