The effects of gas-solid interaction and mass transfer in fixed-bed systems of supported catalysts were analyzed for g -Al2O3 (support) and Cu/g -Al2O3 (catalyst) systems. Evaluations of the mass transfer coefficients in the macropores and of the diffusivity in the micropores, as formed by the crystallite agglomerates of the metallic phases, were obtained. Dynamic experiments with gaseous tracers permitted the quantification of the parameters based on models for these two pore structures. With a flow in a range of 18 cm³ s-1 to 39.98 cm³ s-1 at 45ºC, 65ºC and 100ºC, mass transfer coefficients k m =4.33x10-4 m s-1 to 7.38x10-4 m s-1 for macropore structures and diffusivities Dm =1.29x10-11 m² s-1 to 5.35x10-11 m² s-1 for micropore structures were estimated
Pore structures; mass transfer; diffusivity
1011 (m2 s-1)