Analysis of a Novel Three-Phase Catalytic Reactor

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Ceramic honeycomb monoliths were initially developed as catalyst supports for use in automotive catalytic converters. Monolithic catalyst support provides a means of contacting a gas and a liquid with a solid catalyst. This catalyst support delivers low pressure drop because of its unique geometry. High reaction rates may be obtained because of the high surface area of the catalyst and the low mass transfer resistance which can be realized when slug flow is maintained within the channels of the monolith. The proper use of such a catalyst requires uniform distribution of gas and liquid in the open cells of the monolith. This research will involve the construction and operation of a novel monolithic reactor in which a uniform gas-liquid feed is produced through the formation of a two-phase froth within the same vessel. The froth is a vehicle for the introduction of controlled volumes of gas and into the channels of the monolith in slug flow. The reactor will be evaluated for the aqueous phase oxidation of phenol over copper oxide catalyst and the results compared with data reported from a slurry reactor. Flow visualization experiments will be used to determine the hydrodynamic parameters necessary to obtain the desired slug flow within the monolith and understand the means by which the froth characteristics may be controlled. A reactor model based upon the hydrodynamics within square channels of the monolith will be developed, a model with a minimum of adjustable parameters.