Fixed bed reactors

Abstract

Catalytic fixed-bed reactors are the most important type of reactor for the synthesis of largescale basic chemicals and intermediates. In these reactors, the reaction takes place in the form of a heterogeneously catalyzed gas reaction on the surface of catalysts that are arranged as a socalled fixed bed in the reactor. In addition to the synthesis of valuable chemicals, fixed-bed reactors have been increasingly used in recent years to treat harmful and toxic substances. For example, the reaction chambers used to remove nitrogen oxides from power station flue gases constitute the largest type of fixed-bed reactors as regards reactor volume and throughput, while automobile exhaust purification represents by far the most widely employed application of fixed-bed reactors.