Packed bed reactor

1. K A N C H A N R A M T E K E
M T 1 7 M C L 0 1 1
Packed Bed Reactor

2. Introduction
Packed bed reactor (Fixed bed reactor) consists of cylinder of
large diameter with multiple catalyst bed or many tubes in
parallel packed with catalyst and encased in large shell.

3.  Gas flows continuously through a stationary bed of catalyst.
 Use of relatively large size catalyst particles for low pressure
drop.
 Catalyst particles:-
o Granular
o Pelleted
o Cylindrical or spherical

4. Theory
Packing is used to provide a good contact between the
contacting phase.
Packed bed reactor most often used to catalyze gas reactions.
The chemical reaction takes place on the surface of the
catalyst.
The advantage of using a packed bed reactor is the higher
conversion per weight of catalyst than other catalytic reactors.
Packed beds of solid particles are also used in absorption,
adsorption, and distillation columns to increase interfacial area
of contact between gas and liquid.

5.  Catalyst regeneration is a serious problem.
 Operation is not practically isothermal.
 No carry over of catalyst particles thus does not require
recovery units.
 Cannot use very small size catalyst particles due to plugging
and high pressure drop.
 Uses relatively large size particles for low pressure drop.
Key points

6. Design Equation

7. Design Equation

8. Application
 Absorption
 Ion exchange
 Distillation
 Humidification etc.
 Waste water treatment