title: Frequency response study of the dynamics of the platinum catalyzed interconversion of methylcyclohexane, toluene, and hydrogen near equilibrium.
abstract: The dynamics of the platinum catalyzed interconversion of methylcyclohexane, toluene, and hydrogen near equilibrium were investigated in a closed reactor system by a frequency response method at temperatures in the range of 433 to 473 K and at total pressures in the vicinity of 80 to 110 Torr. The gas phase in contact with the platinum catalyst was always hydrogen-rich, with hydrogen to hydrocarbon mole ratios maintained in the range of 3.2 to 4.6. The frequency response method utilized small perturbations (lower than 1%) of the volume of the system, with measurements of the total pressure being used to determine the response of the system. The range of perturbation frequencies investigated was approximately 0.002 to 3 Hz (0.013 to 19 rad s(-1)). The experiments revealed two characteristic relaxation frequencies that are associated with the dynamics of the interconversion. The dynamics of the system are interpreted in terms of a simple two-step interconversion sequence with the aid of a phenomenological frequency response theory formulated in terms of relaxation frequencies of the steps and equilibrium properties of the system. It is concluded that one of the steps, a toluene adsorption-desorption step, is much slower than the other, a step involving the interconversion of the gas-phase methylcyclohexane and chemisorbed toluene that releases or consumes hydrogen in the process.
authors.affiliation: Corporate Strategic Research, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, 1545 Route 22 East, Annandale, New Jersey 08801, USA. sebastian.c.reyes@exxonmobil.com
authors.forename: Sebastian C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sinfelt
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: DeMartin