Modern catalytic structured packings offer a uniform catalyst support where catalyst particles can be embedded thus combining its features with the well-known advantages of a structured packing (high capacity and high mass-transfer efficiency). In this work, the hydrodynamic properties of a novel family of catalytic structured packings (KATAPAK®-SP by Sulzer Chemtech) have been modeled using a modified hydraulic model originally proposed by Hoffmann et al. [Chem. Eng. Proc., 43, 383 (2004)] for MULTIPAK®. Modifications to the model included: (1) the adaptation of a more suitable liquid holdup correlation for the open channels, and (2) the use of a different split factor for the liquid flowing through the catalyst bags and the open channels.

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the financial support provided by the European Commission within the 6th Framework Programme, Project “INSERT – Integrating Separation and Reaction Technologies”; Contract-No: NMP2-CT-2003-505862.