Influence of Particle Size and Single-Tube Diameter on Thermal Behavior of Fischer-Tropsch Reactors. Part II. Eggshell Catalysts and Optimal Reactor Performance

Chemical Engineering & Technology, Volume 35, Issue 2, pages 379–386, February, 2012
Influence of Particle Size and Single-Tube Diameter on Thermal Behavior of Fischer-Tropsch Reactors. Part II. Eggshell Catalysts and Optimal Reactor Performance
A. Jess^*,
Jess@uni-bayreuth.de
C. Kern
University Bayreuth, Department of Chemical Engineering, Bayreuth, Germany
Abstract
Researchers determined the optimal combination of particle and tube size for simulation of a single tube of a wall-cooled multitubular Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor with cobalt as catalyst.
Researchers found that the maximum size of the tubes enhances with increasing particle size until an optimal value is reached.  The result is an improved production rate of liquid fuels per tube.
This is because heat transfer to the cooled tube wall for a given tube size is considerably enhanced by increasing the particle size.  In addition, the influence of pore diffusion on the effective rate of FT synthesis strengthens with rising particle size.  This reduces the temperature sensitivity of the reactor and decreases the danger of a temperature runaway. Simulation results suggest that the use of FT eggshell catalysts is not an option for fixed-bed reactors.
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