KINETIC MODELING OF COMPLEX CATALYTIC REACTIONS

The paper deals with hydrocracking on metal-loaded zeolites. A fundamental approach is presented in which the detailed reaction network of the feed components of a complex feedstock is retained to a maximum extent. The kinetics are developed in terms of the elementary steps and single events involved in the reactions. Plausible assumptions and thermodynamic constraints limit the number of kinetic parameters. These do not depend on the chain length of the hydrocarbons and are not affected by the feed composition. Certainly, chemical analysis still imposes a certain degree of lumping of components and reaction networks, but not to the extent reflected by present day models.