Question

liquid reactant is pumped through a catalytic reactor which consists of horizontal cylinder packed with catalyst spheres of diameter 2 mm. Tests summarized show pressure drops across the reactor at two different volumetric flow rates. Q, ft3/h -AP, psi 12.0 9.6 24.0 24.1 (a) If the maximum pressure drop is limited by the pump to 50 psi, what is the upper limit on the flow rate? (b) After the existing catalyst is spent, a similar batch is unfortunately unavailable, and the reactor has to be packed with a second batch whose diameter is now 1 mm. What is the new allowable flow rate if the pump is still limited to 50 psi?

Answer 1

a) let, AP ag then 02 opz Api n 124 24.) 9.6 ( 2 72 12 n = log (2.51) 1.32 log (2) thus 1.32 Apag makin let 8. flow sate be the 1.32 then ope Api , 9 = 9, pp.)lizz le boy) 0.757 · 12% / 50 9.6 2) 42.18 ft / Thus, Imaxe = 42.18 ft Any

( 6 ) Since 2 qxd 2 (0.)2 2 (9.), (9.25 42.18 10.54 Hilur 4 Thus, the new allowable flow rate is 10:54 H/2