Oscillatory motion of trickle-bed reactor can break up liquid channeling and thus increase reaction efficiency

Subasi BS, Zahra TN, Bösmann A, Perić R, Wasserscheid P, Abdel-Maksoud M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Chemical Engineering Journal Elsevier

Book Volume: 545

Article Number: 179368

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2026.179368

Abstract

We report that applying an oscillatory pitching motion can substantially increase the reaction efficiency in trickle-bed reactors used for the hydrogenation of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC). In the present experiments, steady-state reaction was reached 14 times faster and with approx. 25% larger mean efficiency for the pitching reactor compared to the conventional non-moving reactor. Increasing the pitching amplitude from 1° to 4° accelerated the reaction by about 45%. Strong memory effects were observed, with increased reaction efficiency being maintained for 2 h in a non-moving reactor, if the reactor had been operated under oscillatory pitching motion beforehand. Therefore, the present results indicate that substantial efficiency increases do not require continuous oscillations, instead already occasional reactor motions may suffice. We hypothesize that the increase in efficiency is due to breaking-up of liquid channels. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and cold-flow experiments are reported that strongly support this theory. It is anticipated that the present findings will be applicable to many other types of trickle-bed reactors as well.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bilge Su Subasi Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik (CRT) Andreas Bösmann Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik (CRT) Peter Wasserscheid Lehrstuhl für Chemische Reaktionstechnik (CRT)

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Subasi, B.S., Zahra, T.N., Bösmann, A., Perić, R., Wasserscheid, P., & Abdel-Maksoud, M. (2026). Oscillatory motion of trickle-bed reactor can break up liquid channeling and thus increase reaction efficiency. Chemical Engineering Journal, 545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2026.179368

MLA:

Subasi, Bilge Su, et al. "Oscillatory motion of trickle-bed reactor can break up liquid channeling and thus increase reaction efficiency." Chemical Engineering Journal 545 (2026).

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