Chaos in catalyst pores: Can we use it for process development?

Since 1939 when Thiele and Zeldovich developed a theory devoted to the reaction mechanism in a catalyst particle, nothing has disturbed the scientific paradigm in catalysis. In multiphase reactions, as is widely accepted, liquid occupies catalyst pores, remaining an immovable medium through which the reacting compounds “slowly” diffuse to active centres where the reaction takes place. Some years ago, it was predicted that in gas–liquid/liquid reactions with gas or heat evolution, liquid could chaotically move in catalyst pores with velocities up to 300 m/s causing a great impact on the reaction performance in a catalyst particle and a reactor. The present paper deals with some experimental confirmation of the oscillatory mechanism and illustrates some phenomena that can purposefully be used for process and catalyst development.