(143b) Downscaling for Process Support and Upscaling for Process Development

The fixed-bed reactor dominates catalyzed chemical processes. It does so because it loads easily, operates continuously, and separates the catalyst from product automatically, if the catalyst remains where it is supposed to remain --- in the reactor. At first glance, because fixed-bed reactors have no moving parts or complex innards, they look easy to upscale for process development and downscale for process support. However, this first glance can produce short-sighted results. This talk presents the theory behind downscaling and upscaling fixed-bed catalytic reactors. Examples of successful downscaling and upscaling will also be presented in this talk.