Dryout phenomenon in the periodic operation of a trickle bed reactor

Abstract

Periodic operation was investigated for the hydrogenation of aplpha-methylsyrene to cumene over 0.5% Pd on alumina spheres. The effect of several variables such as gas flow rate, gas and liquid composition, and liquid feed temperature on unsteady-state liquid flow modulation in a Trickle Bed Reactors is studied. These parameters affect the depletion time of the volatile reactant as well as the temperature profiles of the dry cycle. A criterion is presented that allows for an estimation of the maximum temperature during the dry cycle based on mass and energy balances.