A new type of structured catalyst support for fixed bed reactors has been developed that is assembled from corrugated and flat sheets. These so-called closed cross flow structures (CCFS) direct the whole flow against the reactor wall which was confirmed by flow visualisation experiments. In non-reactive experiments, the CCFS show an increased heat transfer through the reactor wall and a lower pressure drop than open cross flow structures (OCFS) or packed beds of particles. As a consequence of the flow orientation, the CCFS are less sensitive to by-pass flow in the gap between packing and reactor wall than OCFS. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.