Fluidized‐Bed reactor model verification on a reactor of industrial scale

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Abstract
Previous published comparisons between fluidized‐bed reactor models and experimental data have almost exclusively been in laboratory and pilot‐plant scale equipment. This paper compares data obtained in an industrial phthalic anhydride reactor of 2. 13 m dia. using naphthalene as the feedstock with three models, the Kato and Wen bubble‐assemblage model, the Kunii and Levenspiel three‐phase bubbling‐bed model, and Grace's two‐phase bubbling‐bed model. For the conditions of operation (U = 0.43 m/s, d̄p = 53 μm, H = 7.9 m, T = 636 K), all three models give similar predictions and each gives a good overall prediction of the conversion and selectivity if the reaction kinetics are based on the early study of DeMaria et al. (1961). Hydrodynamic parameters needed for the models are calculated from equations available in the literature. Grid and freeboard effects appear to play relatively minor roles in determining the overall conversion and yields for the reactor in question.