Non-adiabatic radial-flow reactor for styrene production

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 54; no. 2; pp. 205 - 213
• Main Authors: Savoretti, A.A., Borio, D.O., Bucalá, V., Porras, J.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene; Exact sciences and technology; Non-adiabatic reactors; Radial fixed-bed reactors; Reactors; Styrene production; Non-adiabatic reactors; Styrene production; Radial fixed-bed reactors; Dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene; Temperature distribution; Catalytic reaction; Fixed bed reactor; Catalytic reactor; Radial flow; Selectivity; Steady state; Heterogeneous catalysis; Non adiabatic; Ethylbenzene; Static model; Dehydrogenation; Styrene; Numerical simulation; Kinetics; Chemical synthesis
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2509(98)00195-X

A non-adiabatic radial reactor is proposed to carry out the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. Radial flow and continuous heating (using superheated steam) are the main features of the new design. Steam used as heating medium flows through tubes, which are radially installed in the catalyst bed. By means of steady-state simulations, this new design has been compared with two adiabatic beds with radial flow and reheating between stages (similar to those used in industry). For equal steam consumption, the proposed design leads to higher selectivity to styrene than the industrial adiabatic design. This enhancement in selectivity (which is observed for different conversion levels) would significantly improve the economics of the styrene production process.