DEACTIVATION OF ION-EXCHANGE RESIN CATALYSTS .2. SIMULATION BY NETWORK MODELS

The deactivation of ion-exchange resin catalysts in the alkylation of o-xylene with styrene is a result of deposition of styrene oligomers w ithin the pores (Part I). The pore space of the virgin catalyst is fir st represented in the form of an interconnected capillary bulge-throat network by using mercury porosimetry data. The effect of various topo logical parameters of the catalyst on the performance of the catalyst is studied. The process of deposition of the byproduct is simulated by analysing the deposition profiles in the computer-generated 3D networ k. The experimental and simulated results are compared for different i on-exchange resin catalysts. A close agreement between the simulated a nd experimental results is observed.