2007
Literature review on reactor selection, design and operation for achieving sufficient adiabaticity of a small-scale fixed-bed reactor. Only a perfect insulation of the reactor is not enough for near-adiabatic behaviour since axial thermal conduction, particularly though the wall, is often causing even more deviation from true adiabaticity than radial heat loss. Several systems were described in detail and can be useful for own designs. Although a rough criterion to qualify the adiabaticity of a system was found, rigourous modelling is recommended to know the performance is at true adiabaticity. Some information was added concerning adiabatic reactors for high temperature applications and some information concerning autothermal reactors. Concerning autothermal reactors more information was found, particularly integrated reactor concepts to stabilize the autothermal behaviour (e.g. by internal heat exchange). This has been added in a qualitative way.
