We are engaged in an intense debate on the Turndown ratio of our Fixed bed radial flow Reactors. These reactors are designed for a Feed flow rate of 24000BPD. However we want to short load the catalyst with 50% quantity that is 45tons instead of 90tons of catalyst and operate the unit at around 12000BPD.
With 45tons of catalyst our apprehension is there will be maldistribution of the feed.
There is another option of using two reactors instead of three and distribute the 45tons catalyst in two reactors.
Your comments are required on these innovative ideas. Would you suggest any modification for the internals at the top section of the reactor?