Importance of proper hydrodynamics modelling in fixed-bed reactors: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis study case

The importance of hydrodynamics, particularly gas density, superficial gas velocity, and total pressure, in axial and radial directions, was investigated for the modeling of a catalytic reactor using a non-isothermal pseudo-homogeneous approach. The modeling of a fixed-bed reactor in one and two stages for CO conversion by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was studied. For the validation of the proposed model, the results of the simulations for the CO conversion and temperature profiles were compared with previous experimental data. Simulations for CO conversion and reactor temperature profiles confirmed the model's ability to predict the selectivity of the liquid products in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor in one and two stages. The proposed model predicted more suitable profiles of CO conversion and temperature along the reactor, making it a more robust and efficient tool for design, optimization, and control purposes.