Modeling and simulation of the liquid phase 2-ethyl-hexenal hydrogenation

Actual computer based process simulations are recognized as essential tool in chemical process. The aim of this paper is to develop a mathematical model that describes the chemical processes that occur in a reactor used for hydrogenation of 2-ethyl-hexenal to 2-ethyl-hexanol. The developed model is based on the mass balance and reaction kinetics equations. The equations include both ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. The evolution (in time and space) of the process variables (liquid and gaseous flows, composition of the streams) were studied for the hydrogenation process. Process models can be used to get information about the process behavior and can also be used for control and optimization studies.