Reactor Modeling and Kinetic Parameters Estimation for Diethyl Benzene (DEB) Dehydrogenation Reactions

Divinyl benzene (DVB) is produced by the catalytic dehydrogenation of DEB at high temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Ethylvinyl benzene (EVB) was produced as a useful chemical during the dehydrogenation of DEB. Moreover, some other liquid and gaseous by-products were produced during dehydrogenation. A setup was developed to conduct experiments concerning the DEB dehydrogenation reactions to prepare DVB in different conditions. Model equations for DEB dehydrogenation reactor were solved by genetic algorithm (GA) method using MATLAB software. Reaction rate constants and absorption coefficients were determined at various temperatures. The conversion of DEB and ethyl vinyl benzene (EVB) in the reactor was predicted by mathematical modeling and compared with experimental results. The comparison showed good agreement between experimental and modeling results. The combined effects of DEB flow rate and catalyst weight as a time factor were investigated on the conversion of DEB and production of EVB and DVB. The effects of temperature on the consumption of DEB and production of EVB and DVB in the tubular reactor were investigated.