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Reactor performance and stability in an alternating reaction‐reheat paraffin dehydrogenation system
Author(s) -
Ercan C.,
Gartside R. J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450740512
Subject(s) - dehydrogenation , endothermic process , countercurrent exchange , exothermic reaction , flow (mathematics) , thermodynamics , transient (computer programming) , continuous stirred tank reactor , materials science , chemistry , nuclear engineering , mechanics , physics , catalysis , engineering , computer science , organic chemistry , adsorption , operating system
The classical fixed bed C 3 –C 4 paraffin dehydrogenation process is a cyclic operation in which the reactor alternates between reaction and reheat cycles. During the reheat cycle, the necessary energy for the dehydrogenation reaction is stored in the fixed bed by passing hot air through it. In this established technology, both the hydrocarbon reactant and the reheat hot air are fed into the fixed bed from the same end (top) of the reactor. This is termed parallel flow (cocurrent) operation. An alternative feeding fixed bed has the hydrocarbon reactant and the reheat air entering from the opposite ends of the reactor. This is termed reverse flow (countercurrent) operation. This alternate creates an ideal temperature profile for an equilibrium limited endothermic reaction (rising temperature profile along the reactor). The transient flow behavior of both parallel and reverse flow reactors has been modelled and the dynamics of temperature profile development for both concepts have been analyzed. Based upon the model predictions, the characteristics as well as the reactor stability of the both concepts have been discussed.