Reverse-flow operation for application of imperfectly immobilized catalysts

A reverse-flow packed-bed reactor used to solve the problem of leaching from immobilized homogeneous catalysts was studied. Product-to-catalyst ratios (PCRs) for a reverse-flow reactor (RFR) and a conventional batch reactor with catalyst reuse were compared theoretically and numerically. In the ideal case without band broadening in the RFR it is possible to completely eliminate the limit on PCR due to leaching, but in practice, band broadening, caused by kinetic and dispersion effects, cannot be avoided Nonetheless, numerical experiments showed numerous cases with much higher PCRs for the RFR than for batch operation with catalyst reuse. Therefore, an RFR may be a successful solution in cases when catalyst leaching is too high for using batch operation with catalyst reuse. The design and operation of a suitable RFR are also discussed.