L 24: Multiphase Reactor( Trickle Bed

Reactor)
QUIZ : Date 09/11/2015, Time 5 pm

Prof. K.K.Pant
Department of Chemical Engineering
IIT Delhi.
kkpant@chemical.iitd.ac.in

Trickle Bed Reactors

Trickle-bed reactors are the most widely
used type of three-phase reactors. The
gas and liquid co-currently flow downward
over a fixed bed of catalyst particles.
Concurrent down-flow of gas and liquid
over a fixed-bed of catalyst. Liquid trickles
down, while gas phase is continuous
In a trickle-bed, various flow regimes are
distinguished, depending on gas and liquid
flow rates, fluid properties and packing
characteristics.

Overall or Apparent reaction rate (gas limiting)

Kinetic Factors

rA= kg ai (CA(g-C Ai(g)/(1-) c = kl ai (CAi(g - C Ab )/(1-) c

=

kc ac (CAb CAs ) = k CAs CBs

Moles/gcat.s

ai= interfacial area/ vol. of bed., = bed void fraction

Eliminate intermediate concentrations

-r =
A
'

CAg

H
H
H
A +
A
+ A +
k a k a k ac k ' C f
Ag i
Al i
Ac
A B s
1

First order rate constant for A

-r ' =k vgC
A
Ag

Mole balance for A

-r ' =
B

dF
A =r' =-k C g
vg A
dW A

1
1
+
k c ap nKC
AS

mol
C
B gcat.s

-r
=k
C
B
vl
B

Mole balance for B

dF
dC
B =v
B =-r' =k C
dW 1 dW B vg B

REACTOR MODEL
In kinetic models for trickle beds, the reaction is often
assumed to be first order to both reactants
For the ideal case of plug flow and completely wetted
catalyst, the conversion for a first-order reaction is
given by:

Conversion may be given as a function of the liquid

hourly space velocity (LHSV), and the apparent rate
constant, kapp, includes the effect of partial wetting as
well as the effect of internal concentration gradients.

where

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF CONTACTOR

The selection of a good contactor depends on:
where the controlling resistance lies in the rate expression,
the advantages of one contacting pattern over another, and the
difference in auxiliary equipment needed.
The overall economics which accounts for these three factors
will determine which set up and reactor type is best.
9

Example : HYDROGENATION OF ACETONE IN A PACKED BUBBLE COLUMN

Aqueous acetone (CB0, = 1000 mol/m3 1, vl = 10-4 m3 l /s) and

hydrogen (1 atm, vg = 0.04 m3 g /s, HA = 36845 Pa.m3 l /
mol) are fed to the bottom of a long, slender column (5-m
high, 0.1-m2 cross section) packed with porous Raney nickel
catalyst (dp, = 5 x 10-3m cat, ps = 4500 kg/m3 cat, fs = 0.6, De
= 8 X 10-10 m2 / s based on vol of l /m of cat) and kept at 140C.
At these conditions acetone is hydrogenated to propanol
according to the reaction

10

What will be the conversion of acetone in this unit?

Additional Data:
The mass transfer rate constants are estimated to be the

11

-r =
A
'

CAg

H
H
H
A +
A
+ A +
k a k a k ac k ' C f
Ag i
Al i
Ac
A B s
1

First order rate constant for A

-r ' =k vgC
A
Ag

13

CBo = 1000, mol/m3

CA is given by Henry's law as

CB >> CA
Since pure hydrogen; p A is constant throughout the packed column. And since
the rate is only dependent on CA and not on CB, this means that the rate of
reaction is constant throughout the column.
Thiele Modulus MT or

= 1/ = ~0.01
14

Substituting all values in the equation.

15

Fluid Fluid Reactions ( Non catalytic /Gas -Liquid

Reactions) (Reading Assignment: Chapter 23/24 Levensipiel)

For notation consider a unit volume of contactor Vr with its

gas, liquid, and solid

Tower and Tank for Gas Liquid reaction

Setting up the rate equation for straight mass transfer based

on the two film theory.

Setting up the rate equation for straight mass transfer based

on the two film theory.