Mass transfer and hydrodynamics in a mixed bed of a hydrophobic catalyst and a hydrophilic packing

Abstract

The structure of flows and the efficiency of mass transfer in columns filled with a hydrophobic Pt/SDVB catalyst and a hydrophilic packing Helipak C 3 × 3 × 0.2 mm were investigated. Based on the model reaction of phase isotopic exchange between liquid water and its vapors, the importance of the method of preliminary preparation of the column for the efficiency of mass transfer is shown. The influence of hydrodynamic conditions (presence of gas counterflow, superficial liquid mass flow rate, column loading and preparation method) on the structure of flows in the catalyst-packing bed has been studied by the method of non-stationary pulse injection of a tracer. It is shown that replacement of a packed bed consisting of catalyst-packing layers with a mixed bed of catalyst and packing leads to more even distribution of the flow across the cross section and the height of the column.