Heterogeneous Modeling Approach for Gas‐Limited Reactions in an Inclined Rotating Fixed Bed Reactor

Abstract

A heterogeneous modeling approach for an inclined rotating fixed bed reactor with concentric internal tube is introduced. The novel reactor is designed to intensify the mass transfer of gas‐limited heterogeneous catalyzed reactions by intermittent catalyst wetting, which is enabled exposing the packed bed to rotation and inclination. A simulation study for the hydrogenation of α‐methylstyrene is presented. In particular, the influence of period length and different wetting‐draining cycles on the space‐time yield of the reactor is analyzed.

Liquid Flow Visualization in Packed‐Bed Multiphase Reactors: Wire‐Mesh Sensor Design and Data Analysis for Rotating Fixed Beds

“…In order to fully utilize the potential of the IRR, stratified flow is targeted. This way, a catalyst wetting intermittency is achieved, resulting in enhanced gas‐solid mass transfer and, hence, increased reaction rates , . Initially, the cross‐sectional phase distribution is analyzed to identify the operational window with stratified flow.…”

“…packing is fully exposed to the desired wetting intermittency (see Fig. 1b) [25]. Furthermore, the exposure time of the catalyst particles to gas and liquid, respectively, can be varied, adjusting the liquid filling level between h L,min and h L,max , depending on the specific reaction (see Fig.…”

“…Recently, an inclined rotating fixed‐bed reactor with inner tube (IRR) was introduced as process intensification strategy for gas‐limited reactions , . In comparison with the cyclic operation mode of trickle‐bed reactors, i.e., a temporal modulation of the liquid flow at the reactor inlet, a local modulation of the liquid holdup is induced, combining reactor rotation and inclination.…”

Modeling of a Real-Life Industrial Reactor for Hydrogenation of Benzene Process

“…The model was used to optimize ethylene oxide production and to enhance the safety of reactor operations. Timaeus et al [8] presented a model of an inclined rotating fixed bed reactor for hydrogenation of α-methylstyrene. The authors analyzed the influence of period length and different wetting-draining cycles on the space-time yield of the reactor.…”

“…The above review shows that there is no single way to ensure a successful result of modeling an industrial reactor. The authors applied various methods and techniques to improve the precision and obtain satisfactory results: 1-D models such as [7,11], 3-D models [10], commercial computational platforms [7,10] and their own methods (e.g., [11]), theoretical [9,11] and empirical [7,8] kinetic equations, improved correlations [9] and theoretical relationships [6], etc. On the other hand, the papers indicate the major role of kinetic equation and mass and heat transfer.…”