Tutorial 2 (part2)

1. A packed bed reactor converts A to R by a first-order catalytic reaction, 𝐴 → 𝑅 With 9-

mm pellets the reactor operates in the strong pore diffusion resistance regime and gives
63.2% conversion. If these pellets were replaced by 18-mm pellets (to reduce pressure drop)
how would this affect the conversion?
2. In aqueous solution, and in contact with the right catalyst, reactant A is converted to
product R by the elementary reaction 𝐴 → 2𝑅. Find the volume needed in a mixed flow
reactor for 90% conversion of 104 mol A/hr of feed having CAO = 103 mol/m3 and 𝑘 =
8 𝑥 10−4 𝑚3/𝑚3 𝑏𝑒𝑑. 𝑠.
Additional data:
Diameter of porous catalyst pellets = 6 mm
Effective diffusion coefficient of A in the pellet = 4 X 10-6m3/m cat. s
Voidage of packed bed = 0.5
Bulk density of packed bed = 2000 kg/m3 of bed
3. A first-order catalytic reaction 𝐴(𝑙) → 𝑅(𝑙) is run in a long, narrow vertical reactor with
upflow of liquid through a fluidized bed of catalyst particles. Conversion is 95% at the start
of operations when the catalyst particles are 5 mm in diameter. The catalyst is friable and
slowly wears away, particles shrink and the fine powder produced washes out of the reactor.
After a few months each of the 5-mm spheres has shrunk to 3-mm spheres. What should be
the conversion at this time? Assume plug flow of liquid.
(a) Particles are porous and allow easy access for reactants (no resistance to pore diffusion).
(b) Particles are porous and at all sizes provide a strong resistance to pore diffusion.