Influence of pelleting conditions on catalyst pore structure and effectiveness

Influence of pelleting conditions on catalyst pore structure and effectiveness

Applied Catalysis,28 (1986)133-142 Ekevier Science Publishers B.V.,. Amsterdam - Printed in The NetherLands Jan UCHYTIL, Institute MiloE KRAUS and ...

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Applied Catalysis,28 (1986)133-142 Ekevier Science Publishers B.V.,. Amsterdam - Printed in The NetherLands

Jan UCHYTIL, Institute

MiloE

KRAUS and Petr SCHNEIDER

of ChemicaT

Process

to’5 02 Prague 6-Suchdol, [Received

133

13 March

Fundamentals,

Czechoslovak

Academy

of Sciences,

Czechoslovakia,

1986, accepted

28 3uTy

1986)

The changes in textural and transport properties of v-alumina pellets caused by pellet compression are demonstrated. Transport properties were determined by ccombination a? binary countercurrent diffusion and permeation measurements. Changf5 in CdtdjytfC pWfof%TdfTCt? Of pkZljt?tS Wre teStP_d k3+3t?ri1TIeITtd~i'y USirTg gdS-phdSe ccyc~nhexano'~ dehydration; effectiveness factors of pe)>ets CDU~L) be yery accurately predicted using the theory of multicomponent diffusion in the transition region, the parameters obtained from measurements of pure transport processes and the reaction kinetics not influenced by mass transport.

INTRODUCT[ON One of the steps frequently ccata\ysts is tke formation influence

the intrinsic

structure

which,

the pellets. powdered

in

(one-sided, additives

of

variables

two-sided), {graphite,

activity

of alumina

fatty

in pore structure from evaluation parameters

substances

of mass

several

authors

explained applied. increasing

transport

affects active

of pellets

the pore

mass

within

by compression

of

the mode of compression

and the presence

of pelletization

reaction

pellets.

of pelletization

measured

pressure

rates using either

by transport

processes

inside

of the pellets

factors,

the pellets

on the powdered

the changes obtained

[1,2]. These

only and are independent

This based

parameters

on the

pellets

We have also characterized

materials

effectiveness

can be proved

by correct

solely on transaort

catalyst,

without

of

parameters

the inter-

transfer. of pelleting

pressure

[3-51. The observed

by structural

changes

compacting

pressure

on catalyst

significant

of the catalyst

In the case of V205-Si02

0166-9834/86/$03.50

the

pressure,

used for their evaluation.

of the pellet

The influence

the

the pore structure

and on the true kinetics, vention

the influence

by comparing

by crushing

of simple

of

acids or salts etc.,).

of the compressed

reflect

the gaseous prediction

granulometry

of industrial

this step does not usuaJ\y

utilization

in the preparation

the powder

pellets,

obtained

the

sequence

it significantly

are the pelletization

In this work we have studied or powders

Even tkDugh

activity,

determines

material

in the preparation

peJ\ets.

catalytic

turn,

The main

catalyst

employed

catalysts,

was ascribed

activity

increase materials

the decrease to diminished

0 1986 ElsevierScience Publishers B.V.

has been studied

in activity

by

[3,4] was

due to the high pressure of pellet

activity

pore diameters

[5].

with

134 In the present work, gas phase cyclohexanol v-alumina

at ZIO'C and atmospheric

evaluation

of the activities

and the corresponding

pressure

of pellets,

dehydration

to cyclohexene

was used as the model

obtained

at different

on

reaction

for

compacting

pressure,

powders.

wt.%

-50

0

loo

II*

10'

lo3 d , m

FIGURE

1

Integral

and differential

from a combination

particle

size, d, distribution

of sieve and sedimentation

of boehmit

analyses.

EXPERIMENTAL Cylindrical pression

pellets

of alumina

in a laboratory

containing

5 wt? of aluminium

(see Figure compacting pressure

level.

were

Figure

2. measurements

were

reaction

below

1. Their

performed

Reaction

runs aimed at obtaining

kPa by adding

determined

by adding

hydrogen water

possible

products

to calculate

(50-80

kPa).

reactor

on

was 60 to 100

to keep

the initial

by GLC.

crushed

pressure

to the feed. The inhibiting

to the feed

in

was used as inert

were analyzed

partial

weight

in

is shown

was high in order

the rate equation,

(0.16 - 0.4 mm) were used and cyclohexanol 100-700

air at 600°C for 2 hours.

form. Catalyst

feed. The space velocity

Five

at each

(A, B, C) were determined

in a glass differential-flow

and crushed

gauges.

prepared

pore size distribution

10%; it was, therefore,

rates as x/(W/F).

In kinetic

tensometric

in flowing

boehmit

size distribution

were

pellets

com-

from powdered

twenty

was kept at 210 f 0.5cC and hydrogen

of the cyclohexanol

the conversion

in Table

by two-sided

indicator,

using accurate

types of pellets

both in pellet

mg, the temperature diluent

were calcined

of three

and are summarized

all preparations,

prepared

and with broad particle

used and about

The pellets

properties

detail

Kinetic

stearate

1). The press was calibrated pressures

Textural

(5 by 5 mm) were

screw press with a torque

catalyst

was varied effect

samples

between

of water was

135 TABLE

1

Textural

properties

of u-alumina

pellets

A - C A

Property Compact

pressure,

B

62

MPa

C

92

170

Skeletal

densitya,

g/cm3,

P

2.87

Apparent

densityb,

g/cm3,

p

0.760

0.926

1.064

1.07

0.74

0.60

Pore volumeb, Porosity

cm3/g

P

(Z) totalC mesoporesd macropores

Specific

surface2,

Radii of most

e

m2/g

frequent

73.5

67.5

61.3

36.5

38.8

37.1

31.0

22.5

312

2.0

2.2

9.4

15.7

r

472

pycnometry

Micromeritics,

In

(AutoPycnometer

porosimetry

c1 - Pp/". d Pore radii ePore

159

parameters

F. 102

bMercury

2.2

244

379

macropores

aHelium

292

nm

mesopores

Transport

2.75

36.4

387 pores,

2.85

1320, Micromeritics,

up to 400 MPa (pore radii

6.1

317

149

USA).

1.5 to IO4 nm) (Autopore

9200,

USA).

1.5 to 30 nm.

radii > 30 nm. experiments

aimed at comparison

weights

were

hexanol

and 63 ~01% of hydrogen binary

A - C were determined four gas pairs

(H2-N2,

at F/W = 0.159 mmol

countercurrent at laboratory He-N2,

cell, utilizing

Permeation temperature

and crushed

used for each pair and the feed mixture

Steady-state

diffusion

of whole

H2-Ar,

gas diffusion temperature He-Ar)

the validity

of pure gases

g

contained -1 -1 s .

fluxed

of Graham's

permeation

cell

equal

sample

37 ~01% of cyclo-

through

and atmospheric

in a modified

the pellets

pressure

for

Wicke-Kallenbach

law [6].

(H2, He, N2, Ar) through

in a pseudostationary

pellets,

pellets

was followed

[2,7] in the pressure

at room

range

0.5 - 40 kPa.

THEORY The information adsorption) effects

on reaction

pore system Direct

cannot

from porosimetry form a basis rate because

it provides

which may be involved

measurement

of diffusion

(mercury

and/or

for quantitative

only partly

and permeation

low temperature

treatment

nitrogen

of pore diffusion

a broad view of the complicated in mass

transport

of simple

gases

and catalysis. is more

relevant

136

0

1

3

2 Log r, nm

FIGURE

2

mercury

Pore radii, porosimetry.

r, distribution Arrows

to the real situation must be adopted given

in catalytic

as possible

between

requirement

follows

corporated

into other,

in pores and catalytic It has been found

sometimes

in this laboratory

for mass transfer model

(MTPM).

pores) active

be visualized

as a bundle

larger

the second the viscous

countercurrent these gases product

radius,

through

Thus,

must

is

be in-

for mass

transfer

the length

cylindrical

catalyst

pellets.

Optimum

can

capillaries

which

(with the

lie at an angle path can be

this is expressed and porosity

by

leads to characterizes

data on steady-state

inert gas pairs and permeation

From the low-pressure

separate

the

gradient.

from experimental of simple

supplies structure

third MTPM parameter

pores due to pressure

gas diffusion

which

of the transport

of transport;

#$. The less important

of the

can be based on the mean

transport

of tortuosity

modeling

only a part of the pores

The transport-pores

straight

the direction

can be evaluated

(r,) can be found.

purposes

for the mass

reactants.

Combination

in transport

binary

level

of the pore

for this description.

relations

that adequate

r, the first MTPM parameter)

along

MTPM parameter,

parameters

needed

equations

to this model,

of identical

of tortuosity.

flow

with

of transport.

than the length

the parameter

MTPM

surface

[1,2,6-91

and catalytic

According

is responsible

catalytically

to the direction

a description

relations

complicated

of the pore structure

The complexity

conversion.

transport-pore

mean transport-pore

rather

A, B and C from

r.

a model

from the fact that these

pore structure

(the transport

Anyway,

the real structure.

as possible

pellets

radii,

the need for as accurate

and as simple

The latter

of y-alumina

transport-pore

reactions.

which will simplify

by a compromise

system

curves

show mean

values

permeability

of

the

of r and $ are then evaluated

137 by least their

squares

product

fitting

equals

catalyst

pore structure

of gases

and processes

pressure

employed.

diffusion

for transport

used for determining

They

are, therefore,

pore structure

catalysts

accompanying

data under constraint

[1,2]. The MTPM parameters

available

differing

in the following

of the binary

(&)permeab

and are independent

them as well

suitable

procedure

reaction

for prediction

the

of the kind

as the temperature

for comparison

and also for predicting

a catalytic

that

only reflect

the mass transport

[8,9]. These

pellet

with

in porous

properties

of the catalyst

and

of catalysts

are utilized

effectiveness

factor. For a stoichiometrically

n c i=l

simple

(irreversible)

reaction

':iAi = 0

taking

(I)

place

density,

inside an isobaric

porous

Nl, of the key component

catalyst

pellet,

A, is expressed

the molar

diffusion

in the form of Fick's

flux

law

N, =-D,ct(dy,ldz)

(2)

using the modified the transition effective

Stefan-Maxwell

region

diffusion

coefficient

(D,)-’ = (Dlk)-’ + : i=l

According

to MTPM,

diffusivities, transport

IYi

-

k 0, = $ F r,;

which

takes

gas mixture

of the key component

i”i/‘,

the effective

Dyi, are obtained

parameters

equation

in a multicomponent

into account

diffusion

in

[IO]. D, is the global defined

as

)Y, l/D~i

Knudsen

diffusivity,

in the following

Dlk, and effective

way with

bulk

the use of the MTPM

r and 4 [1,2,6,7].

", = (2/3)(8RgT/n

M,)1'2

(4)

(5)

Equation

(3) shows

at a given place mole fractions

that Dl depends

in the catalyst

of the non-key

y, in a linear way, making Using

the mole

the catalyst

D, = Dls (1 -

fraction

pellet,

A)/(1

on the composition

pellet.

components

it possible

of A, relative

c = y,/~,~,

- AC)

of the reaction

It was, however, (yi, i =2,

to express

mixture

[ll-131

that the

. . . . n) are accurately

D, as a function

to its value

it follows

shown

at the outer

for this dependence

to

of y, only. surface

of

[IO]

(6)

138 0,s is the global

effective

the outer

surface

of the catalyst

parameter

A is defined

diffusivity

valid

pellet,

for the composition

where

as A = 1 - (D,c/D,s),

at that point of the catalyst

exhausted

pellet

has the form

C"

+ CA/(1 - AC)1

Cc’

and c"

pellet

i = l,...,

D,c is the global

where

(radius

where

at

n. The effective

the key component

R sph), the materia 1 balance

is

(c')' = 8

[(I - Ac)/(l

are first and second

- A)] f(c)

derivatives

is related

the key component,R,; The linear

of the key com-

[IO]

relationships

67,(c). $ is the modified

Thiele

(7)

of c by x) with

x = 0, c' = 0; x = 1, c = 1. The dimensionless

WIS

yi = yis;

prevailing

(yl = 0).

For the spherical ponent

diffusivity

rate of disappearance

to the rate at the pellet yi = yi(y,)

boundary

conditions f(c), of

surfaced?,s:

can be employed

f(c) =

to express@,

as

modulus

t’*=Rzp/, (%'D1ctyls) The catalyst component

pellet

amount

the absence

effectiveness

that really

of intrapellet

factor,

reacts

n. defined

in the pellet

diffusional

as the ratio of the key

to that which

resistance,

would

can be obtained

react

in

[11] as

n = 3?(l)&*

(9)

The necessary integration

gradient

of c at the outer

of equation

surface

c' (1) is found

by numerical

(7).

RESULTS Textural

and transport

From the textural Figure

pressures

procedure;

higher (weight

same direction.

than those

Thus,

porosity

pellets

frequent

pores:

to maxima

density

1. On the other

increases

pore volume

constant.

markedly

and total

in macropores The same change

the mesopore

decreases

in MTPM parameters

radii r, correspond

in Table

is mainly

radius

A, B and C presented

skeletal

radius

in Table

is not affected

is true also for the pellets

volume)

the total

is nearly

the macropore

The trends

shown

The decrease

radii of the most whereas

this

per unit pellet

can be expected.

mesopore

data on selected

2 it can be seen that the v-alumina

the pelletization

density

properties

prepared

1 and by

under

hand, the apparent with

porosity

compaction, decrease

as

in the

(pores over 30 nm) as the can be observed

in the

stays at 2.0 - 2.2 nm

from 380 nm to 160 nm.

r and $ are similar:

of macropores

the mean

transport-pore

on the pore size distribution

curves

139 (arrows

I), indicating

in Figure

transport,

Assuming

Ema, the tortuosity

macropores,

macropores

of transport-pores

of transport

In this way, the following

$ = cma/q. pellets

that mainly

that porosity

pores,

tortuosity

A, B and C: q = 2.36, 3.30 and 3.69,

compacting

pressure

decreases

the volume

are responsible

equals

for mass

the porosity

q, can be evaluated

values

were obtained

respectively.

of macropores

Thus,

of from

for the

increasing

and increases

the

their

tortuosity. The agreement i.e., between

between

methods

use the same model y-alumina

pellets

the results

of porosimetry

that are based on completely suggests

for data evaluation,

is not far from the model

I

and of transport different

but which

that the pore structure

assumption

I

measurements,

processes

of cylindrical

of

pores.

I

0 8X %

0

o”

0 6-

@a A

B

a ?

4

I

I

I 0

-

200

KX

pressure, MPa

FIGURE

3

Cyclohexanol

prepared mmol/g

at different

conversion pressure.

over whole

(@

) and crushed

(0)

pellets

yls = 0.37, ~4~ = 0.63, ~2~ = y3s = 0, F/W = 0.159

s.

Dehydration

kinetics

The data for kinetic pelleting

pressures

the open points pressures the more

in Figure

indicate

were obtained

However,

3), whereas

increased

activity

data for crushed of y-alumina.

factors

pellets

effects

prepared

set (illustrated

pellets

prepared

The reason

for the corresponding

by using the rate equation positive

on crushed

100 MPa. They form a consistent

so, as the effectiveness

could be predicted pellets.

analysis

below

on activity

by

at higher

is not clear, whole

based on low-pressure

of compaction

under

pellets

crushed

have been reported

c3,41. The rate data were (21O"C,

atmospheric

correlated

pressure)

by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood

type rate equation

140 @, = ky,/(l

(IO)

+ K,Y, + $Y+

The form of the equation by cyclohexanol

accounts

and water

for the strong

inhibition

The constants

adsorption.

were

of dehydration

found

both

k = 0.92 mmol/g

s,

K, = 92, K3 = 66 (based on 115 data points).

TABLE 2 Effectiveness

factors

for v-alumina

pellets Pellet

Parameter

@ ,s, ymol/cm3

s

A

B

C

7.58

9.00

10.3

D Is. IO23 cm2/s

1.87

1.06

0.58

0

1.28

1.87

2.72

A Effectiveness

- 0.347

- 0.313

- 0.099

factor

calculated

with

A f 0

0.975

0.942

0.852

calculated

with A = 0

0.973

0.938

0.842

0.975

0.941

0.853

experimental

Dehydration Figure reaction

over pellets

3 shows that cyclohexanol rate region

with increasing over crushed Neglecting

pellets

remains

effectiveness

from 0.98 (pellet

The high effectiveness pores depend conditions

it.

A) to 0.85 (pellet result

numerical

integration

as n

(Runge-Kutta-Gill

and parameters

Two cases were considered:

concentration.

along

rates

by

drop along

of diffusional

tend to 1. were

calculated

in runs depicted of equation

the pore

in

Thus the rates along

in the absence

effective

pellets,

For the

concentration

diffusion

A, as well as the resulting 0, changing

100 MPa.

can be approximated

dehydration

algorithm)

the global

under

of crushed

the local dehydration

factors

employed

linearly

the conversion

exp = Xcrushed'xpellet

reactant

rates

for cyclohexanol

(IO). Table 2 summarizes

Thiele moduli

from

the effectiveness

factors

pressures

rate is only moderate.

pellets A, B and C and for conditions

equation

because

decreases

of activity

this dependence

significantly

and, therefore,

The effectiveness

pellets)

C).

that even for a large

in reaction

the pores do not differ

evaluated

in the initial

conditions,

for pelleting

on the local cyclohexanol

follows

the pore the decrease

outside

for increase

factors,

factors

only weakly

over pellets

Under comparable

constant

in pellet A, for example,

f(c) 'I,cO.26,

resistance

no products

pressure.

the small and unaccounted

the experimental decrease

(i.e., with

pelleting

conversion

in Figure (7) using

3 by rate

coefficients,

effectiveness

length

for

(A taken

factors. from Table

2)

141

I

FIGURE

4

x

Cyclohexanol

and II, constant

4 shows

with

centres

kinetics

profiles

A, B, C.

the pore are not too

n which

of cyclohexanol

are, moreover,

concentrations

with the above qualitative

concentration

decreases

in

lower: h = 0.906,

toward

along dispellet

rate on this concentration

role of pore diffusion.

for f(c) 1, c), the effectiveness

be significantly

pellets

values.

of dehydration

the rate retardation

v-alumina

similar

A, B and C. In agreement

but the weak dependence

(i.e.,

inside

of 0, along

predict

it can be seen that cyclohexanol

obliterates

C would

the changes

experimental

the calculated

the pores of pellets cussion,

profiles

both alternatives

agreement

Figure

concentration

(A = 0). Because

large (A is small) excellent

1.0

05

0

factors

For the first order for pellets

0.824 and 0.707,

A, B and

respectively.

SYMBOLS A Ai C

parameter

(-)

reaction

component

relative

mole fraction

total molar

Di Dm.

effective

global Knudsen

effective

bulk diffusivity

dimensionless molar

Ki n

feed

number

coefficient

diffusivity

of the key component

of Ai (cm*/s)

of pair Ai-Aj

of pair Ai-Aj

(cm*/s)

(cm*/s)

rate of the key component

rate of the key component

rate constant adsorption

diffusion

reaction

(mol/s)

(mol/g s)

coefficients

of comoonents

(-)

(mol/cm3)

effective

bulk diffusivity

k

of the key component

concentration

of Ai (-)

of the reaction

mixture

(-)

(cm2/s)

2

142 molecular

Ml

molar

N1

weight

diffusion

F

mean

R

gas constant

RS sph

radius

41

CR; W

of A, (g/mol) flux density

transport-pore (J/m07

of spherical

radius

of A, (mol/cm's)

(nm)

K) pellet

(cm)

reaction

rate of the key component

(mol/cm3

reaction

rate of the key component

(mol/g

s)

s)

temperature catalyst

weight

dimensionless

(g)

geometric

coordinate

(x = 0 at the pellet

centre,

x = 1

at the outer surface) conversion

X

of the key component

mole fraction

Yl

geometric

coordinate

effectiveness Knudsen

Ki

factor

factor

stoichiometric

'i

Thiele

(-)

(-)

(-)

for Ai (equation

(4))

coefficient

modulus

geometric

parameter

MTPM

(-)

SUBSCRIPTS i

for reaction

component:

i = 3 water,

i = 4 hydrogen

i = 1 cyclohexanol,

S

for conditions

at the pellet

C

for conditions

at the point where

exhausted

outer

i =

2 cyclohexene,

surface the key component

is completely

(y, = 0)

REFERENCES 1 2 3 4 5

6 ii

9 IO 11 12 13

P. Schneider and D. Gelbin, Chem. Eng. Sci., 40 (1985) 1093. P. Fott, G. Petrini and P. Schneider, Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 48 (1983) 215. Y. Ogino and S. Nakajima, J. Catal., 9 (1967) 251. B. Parlitz, W. Hanke, R. Fricke, M. Richter, U. Roost and G. b)hlmann, J. Catal., 94 (1985) 24. H.-G. Jerschkewitz, G. Lischke and G. ihlmann, Appl. Catal., 6 (1983) 213. J. ValuS and P. Schneider, Appl. Catal., 1 (1981) 355. Fott and G. Petrini. ADDS. Catal.. 2 (1982) 367. Petrini and P. Schneider, Chem. Eng. Sci., 39 (1984) 637. P. Fott and P. Schneider, Chem. Eng. Sci., 39 (1984) 643. P. Schneider, Chem. Eng. Sci., 2 (1976) 155. P. Hugo, Chem. Eng. Sci., 20 (1965) 385, 975. P. Schneider, Chem. Eng. Commun., 1 (1974) 239. P. Schneider, Cat. Revs. Sci.-Eng., 12 (1976) 201.

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