Theory 09/Damkohler Number/Catalysis
Hot Spots Follow a Damkohler
The claim
Hot spots in a catalytic bed appear above a critical ratio of reaction rate to heat removal, so a modest reaction in a poorly conducting bed can run away.
01Mechanism
Heat generated locally must be conducted away; when generation outpaces removal, a local temperature excursion accelerates the reaction further.
02Prediction
Hot spots should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Hot spots tracking inlet temperature would remove the balance.