A finite element solution of the fixed-bed catalytic reactor heterogeneous models

Abstract

A finite element formulation of the fixed-bed catalytic reactor heterogeneous model, using the Galerkin criterion, is presented. The method is used to discritize the variables in both axial and radial directions and the resulting discrete equations were solved, iteratively, by the Broyden method. The algorithm developed facilitates the analysis of the influence of system parameters on model reduction. The computational efficacy of the algorithm was illustrated with the gas phase catalytic oxidation of sulphur dioxide in a fixed-bed reactor. The finite element solution was compared with other numerical solutions and with published experimentally measured temperature profiles of the SO2 reactor. The results show that, despite the disadvantage of a greater initial computer programming effort, the finite element method appears to be an attractive tool for solving heterogeneous models associated with fixed-bed catalytic reactors.