DYNAMIC MODELING OF INDUSTRIAL SO2 OXIDATION REACTORS .2. MODEL OF A REVERSE-FLOW REACTOR

This paper presents the results of a computer simulation of a reverse-flow reactor. The results are compared with experimental data quoted by other workers. The necessity to take into account gas-to-catalyst heat transfer is stressed, so that quantitatively correct predictions may be obtained using the model. A brief description is given of the way flow reversal has been incorporated in the model, and the possibility of the accumulation of errors occurring during the calculations is mentioned, It is shown that the one-dimensional heterogeneous model of the bed makes it possible to analyze the process with an accuracy sufficient for the preliminary selection of the parameters of the reactor, whereas the homogeneous model leads to discrepancies which are too high. An analysis of the parametric sensitivity of the model enables the formulation of practical conclusions concerning the design of such reactors.