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Equivalent annular model of a multitubular shell‐side (MSS) fixed‐bed reactor
Author(s) -
Li Haoming,
Hudgins Robert R.,
Chang Kun Soo
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.690370803
Subject(s) - mechanics , porosity , shell (structure) , plane (geometry) , thermodynamics , flow (mathematics) , cross section (physics) , distribution (mathematics) , materials science , geometry , chemistry , mathematics , physics , mathematical analysis , composite material , quantum mechanics
For a multitube catalytic reactor in which catalyst occupies the shell side of the cooling tubes, a two‐dimensional model is developed to determine the nonuniform radial distribution of the temperature and concentration. The cross‐section of the fixed bed is divided into a number of equivalent portions proportional to the number of cooling tubes. Each portion is approximated by either an equivalent annular fixed bed or a transformed circular fixed bed in the complex plane. Enthalpy and mass balances are performed on the equivalent annular fixed bed while the radially varying flow distribution and the transport properties are considered in a transformed circular fixed bed. A correlation is developed for the equivalent annular model based on the relationship of the two different approximations. The model can also account for variations in radial porosity, radial velocity, and transport properties.