| Abstract: | Catalytic suspension reactors . Reactions occurring in slurries are frequently encountered in industrial chemistry. The field of application of suspension reactors and their advantages and disadvantages compared with other catalytic reactors are underlined. It should be borne in mind when calculating space-time yields that several drag components (gas/liquid and liquid/solid mass transfer, as well as pore diffusion inhibition) precede the actual reaction. They are best accounted for by the concept of series switching of partial resistances. In the case of highly active and finely divided catalysts, however, absorption acceleration may take place. Methods are presented for determining reaction and transport parameters and correlations of mass and heat transfer are considered. Particular attention is devoted to the question whether the characteristic quantities of heat and mass transfer in a three-phase system can be estimated from the experimental data for two-phase systems (gas/liquid and liquid/solid). This is shown to be feasible in many cases with an accuracy adequate for practical purposes. Reactor and catalyst performance show opposing trends in suspension reactors. Guidelines for optimal operation can be derived on the basis of simplified model concepts. |
