Safe design of cooled tubular reactors for exothermic multiple reactions: Multiple-reaction networks

The model of the pseudo-homogeneous, one-dimensional cooled tubular reactor is applied to a multiple-reaction network. It is demonstrated for a network which consists of two parallel and two consecutive reactions. Three criteria are developed to obtain an integral yield which does not deviate more than a chosen fraction from the maximum yield that can be obtained in an isothermal reactor. The criteria enable us to choose relevant design and operating conditions for the safe execution of a reaction network in a tubular reactor. The method is illustrated for the production of maleic anhydride by air oxidation of benzene.