Numerical simulation of fixed-bed catalytic reactor for isopropyl alcohol synthesis

The mathematical model and the method of its numerical analysis for fixed-bed catalytic reactors were developed and were applied to the pilot reactor of isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The experimental results from pilot test runs were used to test and verify the simulation results. The numerical simulation gives the IPA concentration and temperature profiles in the reactor. The production of IPA from a commercialized ethanol rector was examined. The operation conditions of IPA synthesis were established.