An approximate approach to design and analysis of fixed‐bed catalytic reactors

Abstract

AbstractAn approximate approach is proposed for the design and analysis of fixed‐bed catalytic reactors in which the intraphase diffusion is important. This approach makes it possible to transform the design and analysis problem of nonisothermal reactors with inter‐ and intraphase mass and heat transfer resistance into one of simply integrating a single equation with respect to concentration. This transformation is applicable to general from of kinetics. Exceptions are reaction rate forms that can exhibit empirical or approximate negative order behavior. The transformation is based on a generalized effectiveness factor or a reactor point effectiveness factor. While the design and analysis of two‐dimensional reactors requires simultaneous solution of conservation equations for mass and heat which are transformed into the equivalents of homogeneous reactors, the problem of one‐dimensional reactors with axial dispersion involves simple integration of a single mass conservation equation.