THERMAL WAVES IN THE PERIODIC OPERATION OF A TRICKLE-BED REACTOR

Periodic operation of a trickle-bed reactor with on-off liquid flow using SO2 oxidation over activated carbon at 26°C as a test reaction yields a large increase in the oxidation rate. A portion of this increase is due to a higher bed temperature. The on-off liquid flow causes a rising temperature front which is followed by a falling front in the direction of the liquid flow. These moving waves have been observed and are predicted by a dynamic trickle-bed reactor model which allows for gas-liquid mass transfer, product inhibition of reaction and evaporation. This model was used without fitted constants, but gave nevertheless a satisfactory representation of the experimental data. © 1990.