MODELING OF 3-PHASE CATALYTIC UPFLOW REACTOR - A SIGNIFICANT CHEMICALDETERMINATION OF LIQUID-SOLID AND GAS-LIQUID MASS-TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS

A chemical method for simultaneous estimation of gas-liquid and liquid -solid mass transfer coefficients in a fixed bed cocurrent upflow reac tor is first carried out, using the same reaction of industrial intere st, and the same continuous pilot plant, but with differential operati on and with different catalyst dilutions. The reaction kinetics of the selective hydrogenation has been determined previously. The results a re then perfectly adapted to the reaction medium contrary to classical chemical methods using model reactions. In a second part these kineti c and mass transfer parameters as well as axial dispersion and heat tr ansfer coefficients determined separately, are included into a complet e one dimension model of the continuous reactor. This model fits very well experimental concentration and temperature and profiles and could be used as a preliminary tool for selectivity optimi/ation.