par Halloin, Véronique 
;Wajc, Samuel
Référence Chemical engineering science, 49, 24 A, page (4691-4698)
Publication Publié, 1994-12
;Wajc, Samuel Référence Chemical engineering science, 49, 24 A, page (4691-4698)
Publication Publié, 1994-12
Article révisé par les pairs
| Résumé : | A new multifunctional catalytic reactor for the exothermal synthesis of condensable products is introduced. In this radial flow reactor, an annular packed bed of crushed catalyst particles is crossed by the reactants and the products of the reaction. A gaseous gap separates the catalytic bed from an external cooled envelope on which the products are condensed. The condensed products leave the reactor through a hydraulic seal, while the gas is kept inside the reactor. A mathematical model has been developed to provide a better understanding of the influence of the transfer phenomena in the gap on the behavior of the catalytic layer and vice versa. A first prototype was built, and the proof of technical feasibility was obtained from experiments on toluene hydrogenation; high conversions were obtained at atmospheric pressure. Several factors combine to keep the reaction rate large even in the outermost layers: low temperature, removal of reaction product, and presence of reactants at reasonably large partial pressures. The hydrogenation of benzene into cyclohexane, which is of great commercial interest, was also successfully operated. The use of this reactor for methanol or ammonia synthesis could bring significant cost savings through the possible suppression of the recycle loop. |
