A model for the bulk crushing strength of spherical catalysts

Statistics and experiments reveal that the mechanical failure of a spherica l catalyst under single-particle crushing strength and bulk crushing streng th tests are both brittle fracture and the fact that the single particle st rength data follow a Weibull distribution. A model is proposed for the pack ing of spherical particles, which assumes tetrahedral contact and force tra nsmission between the spheres. A deduction from this packing is that the br oken percentage of spheres during bulk strength measurement follows the rel ationship of the Weibull equation. Experimental results confirm this conclu sion, which relates the single particle property and the bulk behavior of t he packed bed of catalytic materials.