1547-5905/asset/AIC_left.gif?v=1&s=43a3d567c64d3d5d712c0af6c2cacb1e1bcc1a2b)
1547-5905/asset/AIC_right.gif?v=1&s=518efadeedca9ceeef271499f690fdebd2ed9164)
Reactors, Kinetics, and Catalysis
Parallel hydrogenation for the quantification of wetting efficiency and liquid–solid mass transfer in a trickle-bed reactor
Article first published online: 29 JUN 2010
DOI: 10.1002/aic.12342
Copyright © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
1547-5905/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=3d1276953963f4e484c1215cd7884fd5fbdaf6ee "AIChE Journal")
Additional Information
How to Cite
van Houwelingen, A. J. and Nicol, W. (2011), Parallel hydrogenation for the quantification of wetting efficiency and liquid–solid mass transfer in a trickle-bed reactor. AIChE J., 57: 1310–1319. doi: 10.1002/aic.12342
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 APR 2011
- Article first published online: 29 JUN 2010
- Manuscript Revised: 18 JUN 2010
- Manuscript Received: 31 OCT 2009
Funded by
- Sasol Research & Development and the National Research Foundation of South Africa
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- trickle-bed reactors;
- liquid–solid mass transfer;
- wetting efficiency;
- multiphase reactors;
- hydrodynamics
Abstract
A novel method for the measurement of wetting efficiency in a trickle-bed reactor under reaction conditions is introduced. The method exploits reaction rate differences of two first-order liquid-limited reactions occurring in parallel, to infer wetting efficiencies without any other knowledge of the reaction kinetics or external mass transfer characteristics. Using the hydrogenation of linear- and isooctenes, wetting efficiency is measured in a 50-mm internal diameter, high-pressure trickle-bed reactor. Liquid–solid mass transfer coefficients are also estimated from the experimental conversion data. Measurements were performed for upflow operation and two literature-defined boundaries of hydrodynamic multiplicity in trickle flow. Hydrodynamic multiplicity in trickle flow gave rise to as much as 10% variation in wetting efficiency, and 10–20% variation in the specific liquid–solid mass transfer coefficient. Conversions for upflow operation were significantly higher in trickle-flow operation, because of complete wetting and better liquid–solid mass transfer characteristics. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011.