MODELING CHANNEL INTERACTION IN A CATALYTIC MONOLITH REACTOR

As new opportunities are being explored to use the monolith form of re actor for process applications and to integrate within one unit endo- and exo-thermic reactions, the importance of modelling channel interac tion under these conditions is being recognized. Mathematical models a re generally either of a one or two dimensional form. In a number of a pplications, the complexity of incorporating two dimensional models in to a multichannel system would not be practicable. The development of a mathematical model for a reacting, nonadiabatic, multichannel monoli th is described, in which the following processes are modelled: homoge neous and heterogeneous reactions, convection, axial and radial wall c onduction, and heat transfer by radiation. The catalytic combustion of methane is selected as an example process, The effects of a 'hot spot ', as a result of fuel maldistribution, are simulated for a Fecralloy( R) based monolith support system.