here the solid particles are catalyst, smaller the size, higher the surface area per unit gram, faster the conversion. Currently practice is to do it in batch reactor then leaving for settling then decanting the liquid.

I am planing to make it continuous using CSTR but I have to ensure that required quantity of catalyst is maintained in the reactor. CSTR will have vigorous mixing with the help of the agitator. In this scheme, product stream will be withdrawn continuously and it will carry the catalyst with it.

My objective is to stop the catalyst leaving the reactor. Even if it leaves the reactor, recover it and recycle it back to reactor.

Hi Girijesh,

Its a very interesting question. In my opinion, the particle size of the catalyst is very important in this aspect. If assume the catalyst is in powder form? Maybe installing a suspended steel mesh to create immobilized support is ideal. But if the catalyst needs to travel from one reactor to another, then some filtration method is highly recommended.

You will need some form of filtration, using mesh or filter that can accumulate the particle size you will like to separate.

Olalekan David Adeniyi , Yes I can have filtration in the downstream of CSTR and trap the solid catalyst but how will I recycle the catalyst in the CSTR continuously? I can't take catalyst out of system also as it will ingress moisture from atmosphere.

I suppose it is a continuous process of a liquid-phase reaction. What about a Carberry-type reactor or a trickle-bed system?

Thanks Israel Pala-Rosas .

I don't have much idea about functioning of Caberry type reactor. I will read about it. You are right. It is liquid phase reaction only. Reaction rate is dependent of rate of mixing and catalyst is of size less than 100 micron.

Both types of reactors (Carberry and trickle-bed) allow to react continuously the feedstock and recover the fluid phase at the exit of the system but maintaining the catalyst inside the reactor. Don't need a filtration system outside the reactor. However it'll be advisable an elemental analysis of the líquid phase at the exit of the reactor since in some liquid-phase reactions the catalyst leaches towards the liquid, It depends on the nature of the catalyst and reactant.