Analysis of Steady‐State Temperature Profiles from a Laboratory Reactor by Means of a Process Simulator

Abstract

A process simulator was used for the analysis of steady‐state results from a laboratory‐scale tubular reactor for the oxidation of carbon monoxide over a platinum catalyst. From a set of 14 steady‐state experiments, temperature profiles were simulated with two adjustable parameters recovered by optimizing the fit: k°, the pre‐exponential portion of the rate constant, and hout, the outer wall heat transfer coefficient for the reactor tube. Simulation showed that despite elaborate insulation the reactor did not behave adiabatically. Simulation also predicted fairly well the magnitude of phenomena such as ignition, extinction, and rate hysteresis (caused by changes in feed temperatures or concentrations) but at temperatures below the experimental values.