Monolithic reactors for fine chemicals industries: A comparative analysis of a monolithic reactor and a mechanically agitated slurry reactor

A comparative analysis is made for a monolithic reactor (MR) and a mechanic ally agitated slurry reactor (MASR) with an active and selective hydrogenat ion catalyst available, a situation typical to the fine chemicals industry. The MR is shown to be an attractive alternative to the MASR as far as prod uctivity and consumption of energy is considered. A comparison between the MR and the MASR is illustrated with a case of practical interest, the liqui d phase hydrogenation of 3-hydroxypropanal to 1,3-propanediol. In result of mathematical modeling of both reactors over a broad range of operating con ditions it was found that the MR performed better than the MASR in terms of bath productivity and selectivity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.