D. Ende, R. Eckert, L. Albright
Dec 1, 1995
Citations
1
Influential Citations
19
Citations
Journal
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Abstract
Dispersions containing 10-85% H 2 SO 4 and the remainder 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (2,2,4-TMP) were investigated in a well-agitated reactor mainly at 10°C. 2,2,4-TMP degrades and isomerizes because of reactions that occur in the vicinity of the interface between the liquid phases. The interfacial areas of these dispersions were calculated by comparing the kinetics of these reactions in the dispersions with those in a cell (whose cross-sectional area equals the interfacial area between the two phases). Some area measurements were also made for nonreacting dispersions in an image analysis system. The interfacial areas were highly dependent on the volume percent acid in the dispersions, acid composition, agitation rate, and temperature. For acid-continuous dispersions, the maximum interfacial area occurred at about 75% acid by volume. To model the area data, the following physical properties were measured: acid viscosity, acid density, and interfacial tension of acid-hydrocarbon interfaces. The model developed may be applicable to dispersions in alkylation reactors. Methods of improving the operation and design of alkylation units are proposed.