1. What is Thiele Modulus?

Definition: The Thiele Modulus is a dimensionless number used in chemical reaction engineering to relate the reaction rate to the diffusion rate within a catalyst pore.

Purpose: It helps determine the effectiveness factor of a catalyst and whether the reaction is diffusion-limited or reaction-limited.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \phi \) — Thiele Modulus (dimensionless)
• \( L \) — Length of catalyst pore (meters)
• \( k \) — Reaction rate constant (mol/m³·s)
• \( D_f \) — Diffusion coefficient (m²/s)

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of reaction rate to diffusion rate within a catalyst pore.

3. Importance of Thiele Modulus

Details: A high Thiele Modulus indicates diffusion limitations, while a low value suggests reaction limitations. This helps in catalyst design and optimization.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the pore length in meters, rate constant in mol/m³·s, and diffusion coefficient in m²/s. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a Thiele Modulus of 1 mean?
A: A value of 1 indicates that the reaction rate and diffusion rate are comparable in magnitude.

Q2: What's a typical range for Thiele Modulus?
A: Values typically range from 0.01 (reaction-limited) to 100 (diffusion-limited).

Q3: How does Thiele Modulus relate to effectiveness factor?
A: The effectiveness factor decreases as Thiele Modulus increases beyond 1.

Q4: Can this be used for non-catalytic systems?
A: Yes, it can be adapted for any system where reaction and diffusion compete.

Q5: What if I have different units?
A: Convert all units to consistent SI units before calculation (meters, seconds, moles).