MODELLING OF FORCED PERIODIC OSCILLATIONS OF CARBON MONOXIDE OXIDATION OVER PLATINUM CATALYST

Abstract

The periodic switching between two feed compositions to a gradientless reactor has been found to increase significantly the average reaction rate compared with steady stale operation. Another advantage of periodic feed switching, which has not been fully exploited in catalyst studies is in kinetic model discrimination where large variations can be forced into the predicted responses of several competitive models under consideralion. The elementary step model, with parameters determined from transient experiments, is used to simulate observed transients during forced periodic feed experiments. The model is found to fit the observed behaviour well, in contrast to Langmuir-Hinshelwood models which only prove adequate for steady state behaviour. Simulation studies coupled with experimental work help to clarify the role of adsorbed species during forced cycling.