Kinetic Modeling, Thermodynamic, and Mass-Transfer Studies of Gas-Phase Glycerol Dehydration to Acrolein over Supported Silicotungstic Acid Catalyst

The kinetics of gas-phase glycerol dehydration in a packed-bed reactor over a highly active and stable supported silicotungstic acid catalyst with zirconium oxide and nanosized aluminum oxide (30HZ-20A) was investigated. The kinetic study is based on the optimal reaction conditions determined by response surface methodology. The reaction rate followed first-order kinetics with the activation energy and frequency factor, E = 27.5 kJ/mol and A = 5.35 X 10(5) s(-1), respectively. Based on thermodynamic analysis, the values of Delta H degrees and Delta S degrees of the endothermic reaction were 14.70 and 0.09 kJ/(mol K), respectively, and Delta G degrees = -12.12 kJ/mol. The mass-transfer analysis revealed the pellet sizes of d(p) < 1 mu m proceeded under reaction-limiting conditions. Experimental results confirmed high efficacy of the tested catalyst due to unity effectiveness factor and very low Thiele modulus.