Lecture 6

# Pressure Drop in PBR

For gas phase reactions, pressure drop may be very important and the

concentration of the reacting species is proportional to the total pressure.

1
 (1)

Using the relationship between z and W (equation 1), we can change our
variables to express the Ergun equation in terms of catalyst weight:
dP β0 P0 T F T
=− ( )
dW Ac (1−ϕ)ρc P T0 FT0

For single reactions in packed-bed reactors, it is more convenient to

express the Ergun equation in terms of the conversion X. since:

2
Then :
dP α T P0
=− (1 + εX) (2)
dW 2 T0 P/P0

For isothermal operation, Equation 2 is only a function of conversion and

pressure:

(3)

Also from design equation of PBR:

(4)

We see that we have two coupled first-order differential equations, 3 and

4, that must be solved simultaneously. A variety of software packages
and integration schemes are available for this purpose.

Analytical Solution: If ε = 0, or if we can neglect (εX) with respect to

1.0 (i.e., 1>> εX), we can obtain an analytical solution to equation 2 for
isothermal operation (i.e., T=To). For isothermal operation with ε = 0,
equation 2 becomes:

(5)

Assume y = P/P0

Equation 5 becomes:
dy α
=−
dW 2y

Integrating with W = 0 and y = 1 gives:

𝑦 2 = (1 − 𝛼𝑊)

𝑦 = (1 − 𝛼𝑊)1⁄2

3
𝑃
= (1 − 𝛼𝑊)1⁄2
𝑃0

Example 1

Solution

𝐺= ̇
𝑚
𝐴

4
Example 2

Gas phase reaction was carried out using packed bed reactor with
equimolar feed of A and B:

A+B 2C

Find the conversion of A if the weight of catalyst was 100 kg. given that :

kA = 1.5 dm6 /mol/kg/ min

α = 0.0099 kg-1

P0 = 10 atm

5
FA0 = 2 mol/min

CA0 = 0.2 mol/dm3

Solution

1. Mole balance (design equation)

2. Rate law

3. Stoichiometry

And

4. Combine equations :

B.C.

X = 0.6 ( with pressure drop)

X = 0.75 ( without pressure drop, i.e. α = 0)