SPATIAL PATTERNS FOR SELECTIVE CONVERSION IN CATALYTIC REACTORS

Steady-state multiplicity in individual catalyst particles can be expl oited to produce concentration patterns in a catalytic reactor. Thus, stable, steady-state, spatial patterns can be created in a packed bed reactor by providing for an initial pattern using multiple feeds at di fferent points along the length of the reactor as a start-up strategy. It is shown that the formation of such patterns when properly selecte d can remarkedly improve selectivity and conversion in reaction system s. Computational demonstrations are made with a reaction system in whi ch the desired product must be obtained by reacting two different inte rmediate products formed by a single primary reactant under different reaction conditions. The patterns that produce high selectivity are th ose that alternately produce the intermediates in quick succession, so that the main product can be produced promptly without loss of reacto r space in the flowing reaction mixture.