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Fixed‐Bed Reactor Optimization for the Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether Using a 2D Model
Author(s) -
Zander HansJörg,
Bloch Gregor,
Monnin Thibaut
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemie ingenieur technik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1522-2640
pISSN - 0009-286X
DOI - 10.1002/cite.201300138
Subject(s) - exothermic reaction , dimethyl ether , methanol , ether , thermal , materials science , process (computing) , chemistry , thermodynamics , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , computer science , engineering , physics , operating system
Dimethyl ether is typically produced from synthesis gas by conversion to methanol and subsequent etherification. Compared to this classical approach, the direct synthesis has the advantage of higher equilibrium conversion and a simpler single‐stage process. The heat release of the strongly exothermic reactions requires a careful thermal reactor design. Pure axial models are not sufficient, as they neglect the important radial heat transport resistance. Therefore, a 2D model including axial and radial gradients was implemented and used for design optimization.