Hydrogenation catalysts and reactor principles

In the presence of catalysts such as Pt, Pd and Ni, olefins and alkynes undergo addition reactions with hydrogen to produce the corresponding alkanes and give off heat, called heat of hydrogenation (heat of hydrogenation, heat given off when 1 mol of unsaturated hydrocarbon is hydrogenated). The mechanism of catalytic hydrogenation (changing the reaction pathway and reducing the activation energy): the hydrogen molecules adsorbed on the catalyst generate active hydrogen atoms that add to alkenes and alkynes whose bonds are weakened by the catalyst.

Basic principles and structure of hydrogenation reactors：

Hydrogenation reactors operate at high temperatures and pressures in a pro-hydrogen environment, and the materials entering the reactor often contain impurities such as sulphur and nitrogen, which react with the hydrogen to produce corrosive hydrogen sulphide and ammonia. In addition, hydrogenation is an exothermic reaction, which raises the bed temperature, but without local overheating. 

Classification of hydrogenation reactors：

Depending on the nature of the feedstock to the catalytic hydrogenation process, the process and catalyst used are different and the form of the reaction varies, generally there are three types: fixed bed reactors, moving bed reactors and fluidised bed reactors.

There are three types of reactors: fixed bed reactors, moving bed reactors and fluidised bed reactors. The reactors can be divided into cold wall and hot wall structures depending on whether the high temperature medium is in contact with the walls in the reactor state.

Due to the exothermic reaction of gas, liquid and solid phases in the hydrogenation process, the hydrogenation reactor is designed with several catalyst beds with a distribution tray on top of each bed and a temperature control structure (cold hydrogen box) between the two beds to ensure safe and smooth production of the hydrogenation unit and to extend the catalyst's This ensures the safe and smooth production of the hydrogenation unit and prolongs the service life of the catalyst.
The reactor is equipped with inlet diffusers, distribution trays, scale accumulation baskets, catalyst support trays, catalyst discharge tubes, hydrogen chillers, hydrogen chill boxes, outlet collectors, thermocouples and other reactor components.