Partial internal wetting of catalyst particles: Hysteresis effects

Condensation‐evaporation hysteresis associated with the internal wetting of catalyst particles is examined here by the Kelvin and Cohan equations. It is shown that in the absence of information on the thermal history, it is difficult to predict the extent of internal wetting and the associated reaction rate, for states with partial internal wetting, with the actual rate lying anywhere between the limits specified by the Kelvin and Cohan equations. Hysteresis effects arising from thermal cycling are discussed, and the predictions are shown to agree with the experimental data of Kim and Kim (1981a). Experimentally observed transitions between states with markedly different extents of internal wetting and with associated sudden evaporation or condensation are also rationalized by the theory.