*3.2. Reactor Configuration*

Multitubular fixed bed reactors are commonly used for highly exothermic reactions to facilitate optimal heat removal. Tubular fixed bed reactors have an advantage that undesired consecutive reactions are suppressed to some extent.

The co-current flow arrangement was selected since parametric sensitivity behavior indicated that it would be the most attractive alternative from a steady state standpoint [11]. In the author's previous work on the partial oxidation of propylene to acrolein, the co-current configuration was selected as a method to effectively control the hotspot in comparison to a counter-current cooling circuit [3].
