Theoretical Analysis of Mass Transfer Behavior in Fixed-Bed Electrochemical Reactors: Akbari-Ganji’s Method

Abstract

The theoretical model for a packed porous catalytic particle of the slab, cylindrical, and spherical geometries shape in fixed-bed electrochemical reactors is discussed. These particles have internal mass concentration and temperature gradients in endothermic or exothermic reactions. The model is based on a nonlinear reaction–diffusion equation containing a nonlinear term with an exponential relationship between intrinsic reaction rate and temperature. The porous catalyst particle’s concentration is obtained by solving the nonlinear equation using Akbari-Ganji’s method. A simple and closed-form analytical expression of the effectiveness factor for slab, cylindrical, and spherical geometries was also reported for all values of Thiele modulus, activation energy, and heat reaction. The accordance with results of a reliable numerical method shows the good accuracy that their approximate solution yields.

Keywords

• mathematical modelling
• reaction–diffusion equation
• catalyst pellets
• Akbari-Ganji’s method
• electrochemical fixed-bed reactors