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Modeling of the Isomerization and Separation Process of para ‐Xylene in a Moving Bed Reactor
Author(s) -
Hatami Mohsen,
Fattahi Moslem,
Fahim Farshad
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.202100035
Subject(s) - isomerization , ethylbenzene , chemistry , separation process , xylene , simulated moving bed , claus process , process (computing) , chemical equilibrium , residence time (fluid dynamics) , chemical engineering , process engineering , thermodynamics , catalysis , chromatography , organic chemistry , toluene , adsorption , computer science , engineering , sulfur , physics , hydrogen sulfide , operating system , geotechnical engineering
Simulated moving bed reactors (SMBRs) are hybrid reactors that perform reaction and separation processes simultaneously in a single unit. Their high separation performance and ability to overcome equilibrium constraints on the reaction make them effective in a wide range of equilibrium reactions. This study investigated an SMBR for xylene isomerization and separation of p ‐xylene from other xylene isomers (free of ethylbenzene) in the liquid phase. The effects of operating variables including temperature, switching time, and columns arrangement on the performance parameters and optimal conditions were determined. Due to the removal of products from the reaction site, the SMBR drives the chemical equilibrium toward producing more product than a conventional reactor under the same conditions.