Theoretical analysis of mass and heat transfer in monolith catalysts with triangular channels

Steady-state heat and mass transfer in equilateral triangular channels of monolith catalytic combustors is investigated by means of a 3D model, assuming fully developed laminar flow and Lewis number equal to one. Solutions of the 3D model provide the axial profiles of Sh and Nu numbers. The worse mass and heat transfer properties associated with triangular channels due to their acute corners result in anticipated light-off and in lower gas heating rates as compared to circular or square channels. Even adopting asymptotically correct correlations for heat and mass transfer coefficients, simpler 1D models may predict temperature profiles significantly different from those of the rigorous 3D approach.