Pressure Drop Models of Seepage Catalytic Packing Internal for Catalytic Distillation Column

Abstract

A seepage catalytic packing internal (SCPI) consisting of catalyst containers with avert-overflow baffles and corrugated metal sheets was developed for a catalytic distillation column. By changing the width ratio (Rcc/cms) of the catalyst containers (CC) relative to corrugated metal sheets (CMS), the SCPI developed in this work can be suitable to various reaction and separation zones in different catalytic distillation processes. The influence of the Rcc/cms, a significant factor influencing the pressure drop, also was studied. The flooding behaviors and pressure drop were evaluated using cold model experiments in the column (600 mm in diameter × 1500 mm height); the results were compared with that of the catalytic packing typically used in catalytic distillation. A model for predicting the pressure drop of SCPI was developed and compared with experimental results. Results show that the pressure drop was decreased with decreases of Rcc/cms. The results from this work are valuable in the design and scale-up of SCPI in catalytic distillation columns.