Continuous hydrogenation of the hydrogen storage compound benzyltoluene in a trickle-bed reactor – influence of mass transfer and optimization strategies
Lippert J, Wasserscheid P, Geißelbrecht M (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 211
Article Number: 153617
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.153617
Abstract
The liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology enables hydrogen (H2) storage and transport using the existing infrastructure for liquid fuels. The core of the technology is the reversible catalytic hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of hydrogen-lean and hydrogen-rich LOHC components. The LOHC system benzyltoluene (H0-BT)/perhydro benzyltoluene (H12-BT) has found special interest due to its wide liquid range, high thermal robustness and excellent technical availability. The hydrogenation of H0-BT is a multiphase reaction that includes a solid catalyst, liquid H0-BT and gaseous hydrogen. For the technical implementation of such a reaction a trickle-bed reactor (TBR) is the typical choice. However, the design and modelling of such a TBR is complex as it requires a deep understanding of the hydrodynamics and mass transfer characteristics in the system. Therefore, empirical data are required to develop suitable models for the design of TBR, which have so far been missing in the literature. This is the aim of this study that first elucidated that initial flooding of the catalyst bed is crucial to establish the catalytic activity of the hydrogenation reactor in a reproducible manner. Furthermore, the influences of temperature, process pressure (pprocess), H0-BT concentration and residence time on the hydrogenation activity have been established. The influence of hydrogen partial pressure (pH2) on the observable hydrogenation rate has been found surprisingly low, which is due to mass transfer limitations in the reactor. Based on this finding, optimization strategies are proposed and evaluated.
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How to cite
APA:
Lippert, J., Wasserscheid, P., & Geißelbrecht, M. (2026). Continuous hydrogenation of the hydrogen storage compound benzyltoluene in a trickle-bed reactor – influence of mass transfer and optimization strategies. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.153617
MLA:
Lippert, Joshua, Peter Wasserscheid, and Michael Geißelbrecht. "Continuous hydrogenation of the hydrogen storage compound benzyltoluene in a trickle-bed reactor – influence of mass transfer and optimization strategies." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 211 (2026).
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