MODELING OF FIXED-BED REACTOR - 2 MODELS OF INDUSTRIAL REACTOR FOR SELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OF ACETYLENE

Modelling and simulation of operation conditions for a heterogeneous f ixed-bed reactor are investigated on the basis of the industrial react or for selective hydrogenation of acetylene on palladium catalyst (in ethylene production). Heterogeneous and pseudohomogeneous models of th e above-mentioned reactor with their advantages and drawbacks are pres ented. It is shown, that the proper formulation of a pseudohomogeneous model allows for its use even in process with complex reaction routes and in which, intraparticle mass transfer resistances plays a major r ole. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.