Kinetics and slurry-type reactor modelling during catalytic hydrogenation of o-cresol on Ni/SiO2

The effect of kinetic parameters (reactant concentrations, temperature) was investigated on the initial reaction rate for the catalytic hydrogenation of o-cresol on Ni/SiO₂, carried out in a batch or semi-batch agitated slurry-type reactor.

The data were interpreted by a kinetic model based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism with non-dissociative and non-competitive adsorption of o-cresol and hydrogen on different sites, where the limiting step is due to the reaction of adsorbed reactants. The activation energy (E_a = 82 kJ/mol) is in good agreement with previous literature values reported for the catalytic hydrogenation of phenol.

Taking into account thermodynamic (solubilities) and mass transfer kinetics (k_La) data measured in situ, the integral reactor conversion rate of this three-phase catalytic reaction was simulated accurately in the physical regime by taking into account external and internal mass transfer resistances.