Reaction kinetics, plant-scale catalytic reactor

The design of a catalytic reactor requires the knowledge of the reaction rate and product selectivity as a function of the operating conditions. Rate expression based on the intrinsic reaction kinetics allows scaling up of laboratory data to a pilot plant and further to an industrial unit Without reliable kinetics, optimimi reactor design can be difficult or even impossible to achieve. 

The determination of kinetic parameters is an essential step in developing a catalytic process. Parameters determined in laboratory-scale steady-state reactors are necessary to formulate models for scale-up to pilot plant and process-scale reactors. Kinetic parameters also provide insight into the fundamental processes that occur during a catalytic reaction and form the basis for creating microkinetic models that describe the individual steps (e.g., adsorption, surface reaction, and desorption) of a complex reaction. 

The general strategies to perform catalytic reactions in capillaries presented in this chapter can be utilized in the comprehensive kinetic characterization of catalysts and materials. Furthermore, catalytic capillaries may one day also prove to be useful tools for selective transformations in analytical applications or for structure elucidation. Also, preparative scale-up by stacking of reactor capillaries can easily be achieved. From there, the development of chemical micro plants for the production of fine chemicals can be envisioned as a natural step in terms of energy efficiency and environmental impact. 

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