AIChE Journal · 1968 · 30 citations · 5 references
EngineeringRadial VariationExperimental ThermodynamicsChemistryConvective Heat TransferChemical EngineeringHeat Transfer ProcessRadial TransportTransport PhenomenaThermodynamicsPacked‐bed Heat‐exchanger ReactorPacked BedCatalysisHeat TransferExperimental ResultsReaction EngineeringHeat ExchangerHeat Transfer EnhancementMathematical ModelMass TransferThermal EngineeringChemical KineticsThermo-fluid Systems
Abstract The selective, highly endothermic reaction of methylcyclohexane to toluene and hydrogen was studied experimentally over a commercial Pt/Al 2 O 3 catalyst, in an electrically heated tube serving as a packed‐bed reactor heat exchanger. The constant‐flux reactor, with measurement of temperatures within the bed at points intermediate along its length, proved well suited as an integral reactor for providing information on the reaction rate. A simple analytical model of the reactor was developed, and some of the data were used with the model to derive a rate expression. The model gives a good representation of radial variation of temperature in the packed bed. In the region of high Reynolds numbers investigated, radial transport of enthalpy is described in the model by a film resistance at the tube wall defined by heat transfer coefficient, and a diffusive transport through the packing, dominated by eddy diffusion.
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