Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Preparation of Hydroquinone from Benzene in a Paired Packed-Bed Electrode Reactor

Abstract

A generalised reaction-diffusion model for describing preparation hydroquinone from benzene in a paired packed-bed electrode reactor is developed. Finite element method is applied for solving the model equations. Experiments were carried out in a rectangular electrode reactor packed lead shots as cathode and porous lead plats as anode. Optimal current efficiency of benzene oxidation and benzoquinone reduction (62.5 % and 95.9 %) was obtained at operating conditions: electrolytes rate, 0.19 m/s; total current, 15 A; packed-bed thickness of anode, 10 mm; cathode , 30 mm, and benzene and benzoquinone concentrations, 24 % and 4 % respectively.