Wetting efficiency in trickle-bed reactors: its effect on the reactor performance

Abstract

A new model of a trickle-bed reactor in which the catalyst particles may be partially wetted is developed. Analytical solutions are derived for the outlet concentrations of reactants involved in a first-order reaction. They are a function of the Thiele modulus, the mass transfer coefficients, including the gas—solid mass transfer coefficient, and the wetting efficiency. Computations indicate that the effect of the wetting efficiency on the performance of a trickle-bed reactor may be significant.