Abstract: In order to research the distribution and reaction performance of the internal flow field of C₈ aromatics heterogeneous radial bed, a simulation model for a radial bed reactor based on C₈ aromatics isomerization process was developed. The model incorporates porous media and reaction kinetics equations to simulate the flow field and reaction processes within the reactor. The results indicate that within the catalyst bed, the pressure decreases along the axial direction, while the velocity follows a distribution pattern with higher values at the ends and lower values in the middle. In the radial direction, the pressure drop in the fluid flow is relatively low. The quality score of the reaction product (PX) gradually increases from the exit of the scallop to the central pipe, and the law changes on different axial height beds.The simulated mass fractions of individual components are in good agreement with the actual data, demonstrating that the developed reactor model can accurately describe the performance of the radial bed reactor for C₈ aromatics isomerization.

Key words: C₈ aromatics, isomerization, radial bed reactor, computational fluid dynamics, reaction kinetics