OPTIMAL INLET TEMPERATURE TRAJECTORIES FOR ADIABATIC PACKED REACTORS WITH CATALYST DECAY

An algorithm for simulation and optimization of adiabatic fixed-bed reactors subject to catalyst deactivation is developed. It is applied to the low-temperature CO converter, the kinetic model for which is deduced from some industrial data and considering chlorine as the main cause of catalyst poisoning. Sintering is not considered due to the short range of variation of temperature in the catalyst bed. Optimal inlet temperature trajectories are determined to maximize the obtained total amount of reaction over a fixed operation time. Approximate optimal trajectories in discrete steps of temperature are proposed to be followed in industrial practice.