Experimental and theoretical study of NO decomposition in a catalytic monolith reactor

• Published in: Chemical engineering and processing Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 765 - 774
• Main Authors: Tomašić, V., Gomzi, Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01-06-2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Diffusion; Effectiveness factor; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Kinetics; Mass transfer; Modelling; Monoliths; Reactors; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Washcoat; Zeolite Cu/ZSM-5; Washcoat; Modelling; Kinetics; Zeolite Cu/ZSM-5; Effectiveness factor; Diffusion; Monoliths; Mass transfer; Catalytic reaction; Atmospheric pressure; Catalytic reactor; Monolithic construction; Zeolite; Modeling; Kinetic model; Mass transfer coefficient; Nitric oxide; Chemical decomposition; Numerical simulation; Mathematical model; Catalyst; Concentration gradient
• ISSN: 0255-2701; 1873-3204
• DOI: 10.1016/S0255-2701(03)00045-X

The objective of this study was to prepare zeolite-based monoliths (Cu/ZSM-5 on cordierite), to test their catalytic activity in the direct decomposition of nitrogen monoxide and to develop mathematical model of the monolith reactor. Reaction of NO decomposition was performed over the monolith catalysts with various thickness of the catalytic washcoat, in temperature range from 573 to 773 K, under atmospheric pressure and at various space times. Two-dimensional heterogeneous model is applied to describe a single channel of the monolith reactor. Langmuir–Hinshelwood type of kinetic model is considered. The influence of both inter- and intraphase diffusion on the performance of the monolith reactor is quantitatively described by means of the governing effectiveness factors. The mean and local gas–solid mass transfer coefficients are derived from the concentration gradients using the proposed model. The proposed model is verified by comparing computer simulation data with experimental laboratory results.