The hydrogenolysis of n‐Butane on a nickel on silica catalyst: II Fluidized bed studies

This study was undertaken to obtain experience in developing steady‐state mathematical models of full‐scale chemical reactors through the use of a combination of bench‐scale experiments and actual plant operating data. In this case, the hydrogenolysis of n‐butane on a nickel on silica gel catalyst was studied in a %inch diameter pilot plant fluidized bed reactor. The kinetic parameters in a mechanistic reaction model were obtained in a bench‐scale integral reactor and these rate equations were included in a simple two‐phase fluidized bed model. The parameter relating to interchange of gas between bubbles and emulsion was determined from the fluidized bed data. A comparison of the predicted and observed selectivities suggested a weakness in the kinetic model. This shortcoming was then partially corrected by using the fluidized bed data. In this way, a reactor model was achieved which was satisfactory for overall plant simulations.