Hydrogenation of 2-Ethylanthraquinone Under Taylor Flow in Single Square Channel Monolith Reactors

The hydrogenation of 2-ethylanthraquinone (EAQ) to 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone (EAHQ) was carried out under Taylor flow in single square channel monolith reactors. The two opening ends of opaque reaction channel were connected with two circular transparent quartz-glass capillaries, where Taylor flow hydrodynamics parameters were measured and further used to obtain practical flow state of reactants in square reaction channels. A carefully designed gas-liquid inlet mixer was used to supply steady gas bubbles and liquid slugs with desired length. The effects of various operating parameters, involving superficial gas velocity, superficial liquid velocity, gas bubble length, liquid slug length, two-phase velocity and temperature, on EAQ conversion were systematically researched. Based on EAQ conversion, experimental overall volumetric mass transfer coefficients were calculated, and also studied as functions of various parameters as mentioned earlier. The film model, penetration model, and existing semi-empirical formula were used to predict gas-solid, gas-liquid, and liquid-solid volumetric mass transfer coefficients in Taylor flow, respectively. The predicted overall volumetric mass transfer coefficients agreed well with the experimental ones. (c) 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 55: 726-736, 2009