3749.     WYNKOOP, R., AND WILHELM, R. H.  Kinetics in Tubular Flow Reactor.  Hydrogenation of Ethylene Over Copper-Magnesia Catalyst.  Chem. Eng. Progress, vol. 46, No. 6, 1950, pp. 300-310.  Chem. Abs., vol. 44, 1950, p. 6713.

        Catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene over Cu-magnesia catalyst was studied experimentally and theoretically as an example of the application of chemical kinetics to a continuous-flow tubular reactor.  Most experiments were isothermal; a few experiments were permitted to assume modest temperature variations.  Experimental conditions were varied over the following ranges:  H₂ concentration, 32.6-95.2%; temperature, 9°-79°; space velocity, 0.20 x 10^-4 - 32.0 x 10^-4 total mol. per cc. sec.; catalyst particle size, 0.108-0.279 cm. diam.  Kinetic equations for the flow system were developed and experimental data were found to correspond to a first order reaction with respect to H₂.  The precision of measurement of the rate constant is discussed.  Because of small conversions, a high precision analysis for H₂ by means of thermal conductivity cells was developed.  An effect of reversible poisoning of the catalyst by water vapor was encountered.  Flow equations and precautions that must be used in their development are discussed.  A mechanism for the hydrogenation reaction is proposed.