A revised model for predicting the performance of a fluidised-bed catalytic reactor

In a gas fluidised-bed, bubble coalescence gives rise to a very rapid mass exchange rate with the dense phase. The extent of this exchange rate is calculated from the observed changes in bubble size with height in the bed. It is calculated that with a catalytic reaction in progress, the difference in composition between the dense phase and bubble phase rapidly falls to a negligible value for all cases where the reaction rate and throughput are su that a significant height of bed is required for nearly complete conversion. A corresponding model of the fluidised-bed catalytic reactor is analysed f which it transpires that its behaviour is very close to that of a CSTR, as is apparent when published data on reactor performance is examined. The stat mixing of the dense phase, if it were to depart from the completely mixed condition assumed, would influence this conclusion.