Differentiation of catalyst and catalyst support in a fixed bed by magnetic resonance imaging

Catalyst (Pd/Al2O3, dP=3.42mm) and support particles in a fixed bed filled with n-heptane were differentiated by their transverse relaxation times T2T2 calculated from 3D magnetic resonance images. Prior to T2T2 evaluation the particles were identified in the data matrix and separated into distinct particles by suitable algorithms. The developed method can be used when modelling a trickle bed reactor operated with catalyst diluted by its support.