EFFECT OF INTRAPARTICLE DIFFUSION ON THE CATALYTIC REACTIONS IN A FIXED-BED REACTOR WITH DEACYING CATALYST - INTRAPARTICLE DIFFUSION INFLUENCES CATALYTIC REACTIONS AND CATALYST DEACTIVATION

A general problem assuming the simultaneous effect of intraparticle diffusion on the catalytic reactions occurring in a fixed-bed plug-flow reactor as well as on the catalyst deactivation is considered. The existence of the so-called cross-effect (an increase of the average conversion with the increase of the mass transport resistance within catalyst pellet) is proved. If PHI(d) > PHI(dkr), the non-uniform deactivation of a cytalyst pellet occurs. This unexpected phenomenon, not predicted by TOST, does not violate its basic assumptions.