Mathematical Modeling of Thermally Coupled Cyclohexane Dehydrogenation and Nitrobenzene Hydrogenation Reactors

This work aims to develop a one-dimensional mathematical model for a novel multi - tubular thermally coupled reactor in the steady-state condition. The mentioned thermally coupled reactor includes the endothermic reaction of cyclohexane dehydrogenation in the inner tube and the exothermic hydrogenation reaction of nitrobenzene to aniline in the outer one. This research aims to use the generated heat by the exothermic process instead of the heat supplier equipment such as heaters and furnaces. Therefore, the proposed configuration acquires a remarkable reduction in energy consumption. Besides, the required hydrogen is provided for the hydrogenation reaction of nitrobenzene to aniline by the dehydrogenation reaction of cyclohexane in the same reactor. Furthermore, higher efficiency is achieved in the proposed configuration based on the heat transfer between the exothermic and endothermic sides of the thermally coupled reactor rather than the conventional reactors that operate under the same conditions as the thermally coupled reactor.