title: Use of the Distance Transform for Integration of Local Measurements: Principle and Application in Chemical Engineering.
abstract: We propose an original methodology to integrate local measurement for nontrivial object shape. The method employs the distance transform of the object and least-square fitting of numerically computed weighting functions extracted from it. The method is exemplified in the field of chemical engineering by calculating the global metal concentration in catalyst grains from uneven metal distribution profiles. Applying the methodology on synthetic profiles with the help of a very simple deposition model allows us to evaluate the accuracy of the method. For high symmetry objects such as an infinite cylinder, relative errors on global concentration are lower than 1% for well-resolved profiles. For a less symmetrical object, a tetralobe, the best estimator gives a relative error below 5% at the cost of increased measurement time. Applicability on a real case is demonstrated on an aged hydrodemetallation catalyst. Sampling of catalyst grains at the inlet and outlet of the reactor allowed conclusions concerning different reactivity for the trapped metals.
authors.affiliation: IFP Energies nouvelles,Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize,BP 3, 69360 Solaize,France.
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sorbier
authors.affiliation: IFP Energies nouvelles,Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize,BP 3, 69360 Solaize,France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bazer-Bachi
authors.affiliation: IFP Energies nouvelles,Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize,BP 3, 69360 Solaize,France.
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Blouët
authors.affiliation: IFP Energies nouvelles,Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize,BP 3, 69360 Solaize,France.
authors.forename: Maxime
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreaud
authors.affiliation: IFP Energies nouvelles,Rond-point de l'échangeur de Solaize,BP 3, 69360 Solaize,France.
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Moizan-Basle
keywords: EPMA; catalyst; distance transform; element profile; integration