KINETICS OF GLUCOSE HYDROGENATION IN A TRICKLE-BED REACTOR

The kinetics of the catalytic hydrogenation of aqueous solutions of D-glucose to produce sorbitol was studied in a high pressure trickle-bed reactor with cocurrent downflow mode. The hydrogenation reactions were performed on a supported nickel catalyst in the temperature range 343 to 403 K and in the pressure range 4 to 12 MPa. Reaction rates were measured on the catalyst extrudates as such or after crushing and sieving them. The kinetic data obtained from measurements of the initial reaction rates as a function of temperature, pressure and mass of catalyst were interpreted with a Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate law where the reaction between adsorbed glucose and hydrogen is the rate-determining step.