The mathematical simulation of the heat transfer in monolithic reactors at the warm-up period

Monolithic reactors have been widely used in the catalysis. It is well known that the transient thermal transfer characteristics are of major importance for warm-up of the reactors. Thermal transfer characteristics of monolithic reactors at warm-up period was studied by using a thermal transfer model. With the aid of numerical calculations of a simple one-dimensional model for a adiabatic reactor, the effects of the axial conduction in the solid phase, properties of flow, catalysts, and the design parameters of reactors on thermal transfer were discussed. The different influences of the metallic and ceramic monoliths on thermal response were also recognized.