Modeling gamma-alumina catalyst supports as networks of randomly connected pores

Highlights  Microscopic pore network model based on interconnected cylinders  Transient mass transfer simulations inside the network to calculate the tortuosity  At least two levels of porosity are needed to obtain typical experimental tortuosities 1. Introduction As active phases of modern catalysts are more and more efficient, diffusion within catalyst supports frequently becomes a limiting step. Hence, there is an increasing demand for comprehensive models to represent porous catalysts in order to optimize catalyst design and increase catalyst performance. Mass transfer through such porous media is classically represented on a macroscopic level based on the concept of an effective diffusion coefficient. To get a more realistic representation accounting for the structure and connectivity in porous media, microscopic models based on a pore network model are needed.