Chemical Reactions Engineering II (3170501)

Semester – VII (CHEM) Chapter-6

Chapter Name: Introduction to Catalytic Reactors

The Fixed/Packed Bed Catalytic Reactor:

A fixed or packed bed is an assembly of randomly arranged particles that are bathed by the
reactant fluid, which flows in random manner around the pellets.

In a fixed-bed reactor the catalyst pellets are held in place and do not move with respect to a
fixed reference frame.

Material and energy balances are required for both the fluid, which occupies the interstitial
region between catalyst particles, and the catalyst particles, in which the reactions occur.

Challenges/Limitations :

 Température control
 Catalyst deactivation
 Pressure drop

Advantages/Disadvantages:

 High conversion is possible

 Large temperature gradients may occur

 Inefficient heat-exchange

 Suitable for slow- or non-deactivating processes

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Prepared By: Nidhi R Mehta
 Chemical Reactions Engineering II (3170501)
Semester – VII (CHEM) Chapter-6
Chapter Name: Introduction to Catalytic Reactors

Fluidized Bed Reactors:

 Collection of solid particles dispersed in a continuous phase.

 The particles may serve as a catalyst, adsorbent or a heat carrier.

 Continuous flow of gas or liquid

Applications:

 Catalytic cracking processes

 Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

 Polymerization

 Waste combustion

 Drying

Advantages/Disadvantages:

 Conversion may be poor if gas is bypassing.

 Erosion of vessel and pipe lines.

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Prepared By: Nidhi R Mehta
 Chemical Reactions Engineering II (3170501)
Semester – VII (CHEM) Chapter-6
Chapter Name: Introduction to Catalytic Reactors

 Uniform temperature

 Efficient heat-exchange

 Can handle rapid deactivating processes.

Slurry Reactors:
 Collection of solid catalyst particles dispersed in a liquid phase (slurry).

 The slurry is circulating at a high velocity impelled by an axial pump.

 The mixing pattern is very intensive and well defined.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

 Uniform temperature

 Very efficient heat-exchange

 Can operate at high polymer concentrations

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Prepared By: Nidhi R Mehta