Abstract
Oxygenated compounds are usually produced by a reversible liquid phase reaction using ion exchange resins with a bidisperse pore structure as catalyst. Mass transport is mainly controlled by diffusion through the macropores and the mass transfer resistance in the gel microspheres is negligible. Therefore, in this paper a mathematical model of the batch reactor considering diffusion of the species in the external film and then macropore diffusion inside the particle and reaction in the gel microspheres was developed. The numerical solution is implemented through the numerical package PDECOL and detailed explanations of the procedure used are presented. The model was applied to the diethylacetal synthesis using ethanol and acetaldehyde as reactants and Amberlyst 18 as catalyst. The experimental data are fitted with a two-parameter model based on a Langmuir–Hinshelwood rate expression in order to get the true reaction kinetics. The influence of the mass transfer mechanisms is evaluated in terms of the effectiveness factor history during the transient state of the batch reactor. The values of the effectiveness factor calculated at equilibrium with the batch reactor model are compared with those calculated from a steady state infinite bath model.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.