A fluid bed reactor is configured to process a reactive material to form
one or more products. The reactor includes a reaction vessel defining a
compartment configured to receive the reactive material. A first cluster
of heating conduits at least partially occupies the compartment and
extends over a first vertical extent within the compartment. A second
cluster of heating conduits partially occupies the compartment and
extends over a second vertical extent within the compartment. The first
cluster of heating conduits is vertically below the second cluster of
heating conduits and spaced apart therefrom by a first separation
distance. Feedstock inlets are configured to introduce the reactive
material into a region that is vertically between the first and second
clusters of heating conduits. The heating conduits in the first cluster
have a first thickness while the heating conduits in the second cluster
have a second thickness. The first separation distance is at least as
great as the smaller of the first and second thicknesses.