Continuous annular chromatographic reactor

Fig. 6. Schematic presentation of a continuous annular chromatographic reactor. The sample (big arrow) and the mobile phase (small arrows) are continuously introduced from the top of the column, which rotates with the constant angular velocity co. Passing through the column, compound A is converted into the compounds B and C. Due to their different retention they split in three streams and exit at different positions from the column. (Reprinted with permission from [144])... 

F. Lang, 2003, A continuous annular chromatographic reactor, PhD Thesis, ETH Zurich, Switzerland. 

The benzene yields given by the data of Figures 4 and 5, 87% at 204°C and 88% at 227°C, may be compared with computed equilibrium yields of 13% and 19%, based on inlet conditions. This clearly shows the advantage of the continuous annular chromatographic reactor over, say, a tubular reactor. The comparison is not entirely straightforward, because dilution of the cyclohexane by He carrier as it disperses circumferentially shifts the equilibrium toward products this would have to be taken into account in any quantitative comparison. The data show only partial separation of benzene and cyclohexane. This partial separation must result in partial suppression of the back reaction, and must also contribute to the observed yield enhancement (in addition to the dilution effect). ... 

The continuous annular chromatographic reactor (CACR) realizes a continuous operation. The general set-up of an annular chromatograph has been explained in Chapter 5.3.2. 

The construction and operation of a continuous rotating annular chromatographic reactor are described. Experimental data for the dehydration of cyclohexane over a Pt/Al Oj catalyst are presented, and the performance of the apparatus as a combined reactor-separator is discussed. A mathematical model is developed, and the results of numerical simulation of reactor performance are presented. 

This paper describes the development and operation of a continuous rotating annular chromatographic reactor (CRACR) for gas-solid reaction systems at elevated temperatures. Experimental and numerical simulation results for the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane on a Pt/Al2C>3 catalyst are presented. 

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