MASS-TRANSFER TEST AND MAXIMUM RATE DETERMINATION DURING LIQUID-PHASEHYDROGENATIONS

A simple diagnostic test, the titration of palladium and platinum cata lysts with carbon disulfide, has been developed to detect mass transfe r problems. This method works for liquid-phase hydrogenations and is b ased on the linear poisoning of addition by carbon disulfide. The titr ation curve is linear, unless mass transfer problems occur. This new t est can furnish the same information as the Madon-Boudart test, but do es not require the preparation of two catalysts with different loading s. Not only is it useful for detecting any kind of diffusion limitatio n, but also it is able to determine the maximum rate, free from any ma ss transport resistances.