ABSTRACT
In catalytic three-phase reactors, a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a solid catalyst phase coexist. Some of the reactants and/or products are in the gas phase under the prevailing conditions. The size of the catalyst particle is of considerable importance for catalytic three-phase reactors. Catalyst particles can be very small and are suspended in the liquid phase. Catalyst particles of a size similar to those used in two-phase packed bed reactors can also be used in three-phase reactors. Catalytic three-phase processes are of enormous industrial importance. Catalytic three-phase processes exist in the oil and petrochemical industry, in the manufacture of synthetic fuels, as intermediate steps in the processing of organic compounds, in the production of fine chemicals, in food processing, and in biochemical processes. Catalytic three-phase reactions are used in oil refining, in hydrodesulfurization and hydrometallation processes, for the removal of oxygen and nitrogen from oil fractions, and in the hydrogenation of aromatic compounds.
