Catalyst effectiveness factor and contacting efficiency in trickle-bed reactors

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · AIChE J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690230624· OSTI ID:6108034

Dudukovic, M P

Catalyst effectiveness factor in trickle bed reactors, (e.g., for hydrocarbon hydrodesulfurization) is a function of the Thiele modulus (A), incomplete external wetting (B), and fractional pore fill-up (C). An approximate formula is derived, which accounts for all three variables. This indicates that the evaluation of contacting efficiencies by applying reactor performance equations to reaction studies is prone to numerous errors. To predict catalyst effectiveness factors, some independent means of evaluating B and C have to be used. In general, existing correlations for B are unsatisfactory, and correlations for C are nonexistent. Fractional pore fill-up will depend on catalyst pore structure and physical properties (particularly surface tensions) of the gas-liquid-solid system involved. Failure to recognize that either B or C, depending on the range of A, are the primary variables affecting catalyst effectiveness in trickle bed reactors may explain the difficulties previously encountered in interpreting trickle bed data. Table, graph, and 19 references.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., Seattle
• OSTI ID: 6108034
• Journal Information: AIChE J.; (United States), Journal Name: AIChE J.; (United States) Vol. 23:6; ISSN AICEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400301* -- Organic Chemistry-- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties-- (-1987)
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DESULFURIZATION
DIFFUSION
EFFICIENCY
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGENATION
MASS TRANSFER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROSITY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE TENSION
WETTABILITY