Simultaneous measurement of in situ bubble size and reaction rates with a heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reaction

B. Hu, R. P. Fishwick, A. W. Pacek, J. M. Winterbottom, J. Wood, E. H. Stitt, A. W. Nienow

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of solvent composition (water, 2-propanol and mixtures of the two) on the three phase, heterogeneously catalysed, two-step hydrogenation of 2-butyne-1,4-diol on Pd/alumina was investigated in a stirred reactor and for the first time, bubble sizes were measured in situ simultaneously with reaction rates. The first step forming the alkene is slow and gas-liquid mass transfer limitation is unlikely whilst the second step to alkane is much faster and may be mass transfer dominated. Overall, reaction rates displayed a complex relationship with solvent composition. The smallest bubbles where observed with 5% v/v 2-propanol in water and under gas-liquid mass transfer limited conditions (energy dissipation rates < 4 W / kg), the overall reaction closely follows the ratio of mean bubble diameter to hydrogen solubility, both of which are a function of solvent. Overall, the solvent 5% v/v 2-propanol/water gave faster reactions combined with good selectivity compared to the others and is therefore recommended.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5392-5396
Number of pages5
JournalChemical Engineering Science
Volume62
Issue number18-20
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Catalysis
  • Mass transfer
  • Multiphase reactions
  • Reaction engineering
  • Stirred tank reactor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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