A reactor and method for conversion of
hydrocarbon gases utilizes a reactor (12, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712) having a specific feed
assembly with a primary vortex
combustion chamber (40, 340, 436, 536, 636, 736), a
diffusion conduit (48, 348, 448, 548, 648, 748), and a cylindrical reactor chamber (40, 340, 436, 536, 636, 736). The design creates a compact
combustion zone and fluid flow pattern of the inwardly swirling feed gas to form a swirling gas mixture through the
diffusion conduit (48, 348, 448, 548, 648, 748). The feed
stream can be introduced into the reactor at any angle (perpendicular, axial, or an angle therebetween, or a combination of the above forms) to the swirling flow component. This provides suitable conditions for efficient
cracking of hydrocarbons (such as ethane) to form olefins.