Dynamic simulation and optimization of fixed-bed reactor for propane dehydrogenation

In propane dehydrogenation to propene, the catalyst activity decreases continuously and rapidly owing to the coke formation. In this paper, a dynamic model for propane dehydrogenation in a radial fixed-bed reactor is developed, which is based on the kinetics of Pt-Sn catalyst. Simulated by this model, the distribution of temperature, pressure and catalyst activity in the reactor at different time is obtained together with regular patterns of conversion, selectivity and yield of propene. The results show that the temperature in the reactor front declines quickly in the initial stage of the reaction and then increases. The catalyst activity decreases with reaction time very quickly also. As a result, the selectivity and yield of propene decrease but the conversion increases with reaction time. Moreover, operating conditions of the reactor are optimized based on the analysis for the influences of inlet temperature, flow and pressure. © All Rights Reserved.