Modelling of three phase catalytic upflow reactor: A significant chemical determination of liquid-solid and gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients

A chemical method for simultaneous estimation of gas-liquid and liquid-solid mass transfer coefficients in a fixed bed cocurrent upflow reactor is first carried out, using the same reaction of industrial interest, and the same continuous pilot plant, but with differential operation and with different catalyst dilutions. The reaction kinetics of the selective hydrogenation has been determined previously. The results are then perfectly adapted to the reaction medium contrary to classical chemical methods using model reactions. In a second part these kinetic and mass transfer parameters as well as axial dispersion and heat transfer coefficients determined separately, are included into a complete one dimension model of the continuous reactor. This model fits very well experimental concentration and temperature and profiles and could be used as a preliminary tool for selectivity optimi/ation.