Effect of uniformity of fluidization on catalytic cracking of cumene

✍ Scribed by Albert Gomezplata; W. W. Shuster

• Publisher: American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Year: 1960
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 664 KB
• Volume: 6
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0001-1541
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.690060322

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The effect of uniformity of fluidization on the catalytic cracking of cumene, with a silicaalumina catalyst, was studied in a 3‐in.–diameter reactor operated at 800°F. Superficial gas velocities were varied from 0.06 to 0.24 ft./sec. for bed heights of 1.5, 3, 5, and 8 in. The percentage conversion in a fluidized bed was found to be lower than in a fixed bed and to be dependent on the type of catalyst support used. A porous plate support was up to 30% more efficient than a screen support, which is attributed to its better gas‐distribution characteristics and to its ability to introduce the discontinuous phase as smaller gas bubbles. Indications are that the first few inches of bed are very effective in bringing in contact the continuous and discontinuous phase, and therefore most of the conversion due to the interaction of the two phases takes place here. This can be explained in terms of the rapid growth of gas bubbles as they proceed through the bed.