Liquid Flow Behavior in Catalyst-Containing Pockets of Modular Catalytic Structured Packing Katapak SP

Abstract

An element or section of Katapak-SP, a modular catalytic structured packing material (MCSP), consists of catalyst-filled pockets separated by one or more corrugated sheets of a large specific area, high capacity structured packing. Full active wetting of catalyst particles contained in catalyst-filled pockets is essential for its reactive performance. In this study the liquid-phase residence time distribution in catalyst-filled pockets of Katapak-SP was determined as a function of the superficial liquid load. The liquid load corresponding to full saturation of the pockets appeared to be the best condition for the flow pattern within the pocket. Then in an MCSP, reaction occurs at best flow condition. The liquid in excess is rejected and descends in the separation section of the element. Due to the difference in porosities, the residence times in the pocket and the separation part of the catalytic packing differ significantly. However, the liquid streams from pockets and separation compartments mix and redistribute at the transitions between rather short packing elements, and this ensures a relatively good overall performance, which can be manipulated to some extent by changing the ratio of catalytic to separation sections. The best performance of MCSPs is at liquid loads just above the catalytic load point with corresponding vapor loads around hydraulic loading.