CATALYTIC COMBUSTION IN A REACTOR WITH PERIODIC-FLOW REVERSAL .2. STEADY-STATE REACTOR MODEL

Analysis of the reverse-flow reactor and comparison to a conventional adiabatic fixed bed reactor with external heat exchanger has shown tha t both systems are closely related. The required additional system par ameter is the center of gravity of energy release caused by exothermic chemical reaction, which can also be rationalized as the mean fractio n of the reverse-flow reactor acting as a regenerative heat exchanger. A simple steady-state countercurrent reactor model that is capable of describing the influence of adiabatic temperature rise and heat trans fer properties of the fixed bed of catalyst on mean reactant conversio n and temperature profile in cycle steady state is proposed. Generally , the agreement between calculated and experimentally determined param eters is satisfying. While discrepancies occur in the case of carbon m onoxide oxidation, reactant conversion and maximum temperature as well as the minimum concentration for stable operation in cycle steady sta te are accurately predicted for the oxidation of propane. (C) 1997 Els evier Science S.A.