Dynamic tracer study of column packings for catalytic distillation

This paper presents selected results from the experimental programme of the EU project 'Intelligent column internals for reactive separations (INTINT)'. Two types of structured catalytic packings, KATAPAK®-S from Sulzer and MULTIPAK® from Montz, each of them in two different constructions, are the subjects of the investigations presented here. RTD was studied experimentally using a tracer technique in 55 mm i.d. test column. Liquid hold-up and axial dispersion coefficients have been derived from RTD curves recorded during experiments and can be used for modelling the catalytic distillation process. The derived conclusions allow an evaluation of the column internals and facilitate an improved design with respect to the investigated properties.