TRANSIENT PROCESSES IN MODELING HETEROGENEOUS CATALYTIC KINETICS

It is often difficult to obtain mathematical models to describe the dynamics of heterogeneous catalytic reactors. Kinetics determined under steady-state conditions are normally not valid for the transient behaviour of catalytic reactions. In order to find valid kinetic models, information is needed about the adsorption-desorption processes and the formation of intermediates on the surface. To get single step models, experiments have to be carried out under transient or oscillatory conditions. This is discussed for different examples taken from the literature.