Interaction between Weibull parameters and mechanical strength reliability of industrial-scale water gas shift catalysts--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Zakeri, M., Samimi, A., Afarani, M. S., & Salehirad, A. (2017). Interaction between Weibull parameters and mechanical strength reliability of industrial-scale water gas shift catalysts. Particuology, 32, 160-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2016.08.006

Interaction between Weibull parameters and mechanical strength reliability of industrial-scale water gas shift catalysts

Mozhgan Zakeri ^a, Abdolreza Samimi ^a^*, Mahdi Shafiee Afarani ^b, Alireza Salehirad ^c

a Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
b Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
c Department of Chemical Technologies, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.1016/j.partic.2016.08.006

Volume 32, June 2017, Pages 160-166

Received 29 September 2015, Revised 23 March 2016, Accepted 8 August 2016, Available online 6 March 2017, Version of Record 20 April 2017.

E-mail: a.samimi@eng.usb.ac.ir

Highlights

• Binder concentration and drying method significantly affected the support strength.

• The most reliable catalyst was obtained using support with the lowest strength.

• Weibull modulus could be used as a reliability control index for industry catalyst production.

Abstract

A fundamental step in the production of an industrial catalyst is its crushing strength assessment. Limited literature exists in which the strength reliability of supported catalysts is investigated from production to their application in a reactor. In this work, cylindrical supports were prepared by pelletizing high porosity γ-alumina powder, and Cu–Zn/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation of the pelletized γ-alumina supports with an aqueous solution of copper and zinc nitrates. The support-forming variables, such as binder concentration, compaction pressure, calcination temperature, and drying procedure were investigated. The Weibull method was used to analyze the crushing strength data of the supports, and the fresh and used catalysts before and after the low-temperature water gas shift reaction. Support formation at a 50 wt% binder concentration, 1148 MPa compaction pressure, 500 °C calcination temperature, and rapid drying (100 °C, 8 h) led to the maximum support mechanical reliability. The most reliable catalyst with respect to simultaneous appropriate catalytic performance and mechanical strength was prepared from a support with the lowest mean crushing strength (26.25 MPa). This work illustrates the importance of the Weibull modulus as a useful mechanical reliability index in manufacturing a supported solid catalyst.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Pelletizing; Crushing strength; Weibull modulusIndustrial catalyst; Mechanical strength reliability

文章导读