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Experimental study of the tubular multiphase catalyst
Author(s) -
Cini Philippe,
Harold Michael P.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690370705
Subject(s) - catalysis , microporous material , cumene , chemical engineering , chemistry , membrane , reaction rate , materials science , chemical reaction engineering , ceramic , organic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
A new type of multiphase catalyst is developed for transport‐controlled, volatile‐reactant‐limited reactions: the tubular‐supported ceramic membrane. A microporous, catalytically‐impregnated γ‐Al 2 O 3 film (permeable membrane) coats the inside wall of a hollow, macroporous α‐Al 2 O 3 tube. The gas containing the volatile reactant flows through the tube core, and the liquid containing the nonvolatile and dissolved volatile reactants flows on the shell side. Reaction occurs in the film. Results using the hydrogenation of α‐methylstyrene to cumene on Pd/Al 2 O 3 reveal that the tubular catalyst compares favorably to conventional catalyst designs. The results demonstrate that the main benefit is the more efficient supply of the volatile reactant. Apparent activation energy analyses reveal that for catalyst temperatures below 40° C, the rate is kinetically‐controlled and catalyst utilization nearly complete. A reduction in the activation energy above 45°C indicates the onset of transport limitations or heat effects. A comparison between the tubular catalyst and a fully‐wetted pellet reveals rate increases by up to a factor of 20.