Fixed-Bed Reactors with Regenerative Cooling

A regeneratively cooled fixed-bed reactor system was studied theoretically. It consists of two sections which alternate roles as reactor and heat regenerator by periodic flow reversals. Calculations were performed for a single exothermic reaction using a forward cell model. The temperature profiles can be maintained within preassigned limits by a suitable choice of operating conditions and by diluting the catalyst with an inert solid. Because of the facility of heat removal and the favorable temperature profiles, the regenerative system can be used for strongly exothermic reactions such as partial hydrocarbon oxidations.