Effect of the liquid axial dispersion on the behavior of fixed bed three phase reactors

M. C. CASSANELLO; O. M. MARTINEZ; A.L. CUKIERMAN

COLUMBUS OHIO

Conferencia; THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GAS-LIQUID AND GAS-LIQUID-SOLID REACTOR ENGINEERING; 1992

The role of the liquid phase axial dispersion in fixed bed three-phase reactors behavior is examined by the formulation of a mathematical model including the major hydrodynamic and mass transport phenomena occurring in these reactors. Furthermore, liquid axial dispersion is evaluated from experiments carried out in mock-ups for cocurrent downflow and upflow. The effect of the liquid axial dispersion is analyzed by considering either liquid reactant or gaseous reactant limited reactions. A general criterion valid in both cases is developed in order to evaluate when it is necessary to take into account the axial dispersion effect.