Catalytic hydrogenation reactors for the fine chemicals industries. Their design and operation

The design and operation of reactors for catalytic hydrogenation in the fine chemical industries are discussed. The requirements for a good multiproduct catalytic hydrogenation unit as well as the choice of the reactor type are considered. Packed bed bubble column reactors operated without hydrogen recycle are recommended as the best choice to obtain a flexible reactor with good selectivities. The results of an experimental study of the catalytic hydrogenation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene in a miniplant installation are presented to prove that the maximum yield in such a reactor can be achieved without a hydrogen recycle and with a hydrogen supply somewhat higher than the stoichiometric amount. Some characteristic properties of the reactor system and the influence of the reactor pressure and the hydrogen supply ratio are elucidated. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science S.A.