Title : Main Variables on the Design of a Fixed Bed Reactor
Abstract:
The objective of this presentation is to identify most of the main variables for the design of an optimal Fixed Bed (FB) reactor. Hopefully, this will enhance the effectiveness of our work, on the development/selection of a catalyst and on the design and range of operating conditions of the commercial unit. This should be particularly helpful for universities and for those who do not have the advantage of a large R&D/Engineering departments.
The design of a FB reactor falls in the interface between Engineering and Chemistry (Catalysis). Because of this, although difficult, a clear dialogue between engineers and chemists at the beginning and during the project/development is of paramount importance.
On the one hand, the physical requirements for a commercial catalyst (eg size, shape, mechanical strength, catalyst pore/area/volume, etc) must be taken into account during the design and development of the catalyst. They will have an effect on diffusion, selectivity, deactivation behavior, activity and other performance parameters. On the other hand, the design of the reactor has to take into account the practical range for the catalyst physical and chemical properties which will influence important parameters like tubes height, reactor diameter, recycle/multiple stages strategy, etc. The catalyst activity, safety or design stability range (eg temperature, pressure, space velocity, impurities in feed, etc) will determine the plant design.
While not complicated, and easy to understand, there are quite a few variables that come into play and must be taken into account and most of the times the goal is to reach an optimum compromise among all the variables to have a successful project, within budget, schedule and startup.
