Full Form of WHSV [ Meaning ]

Full Form of WHSV

The full form of WHSV in chemistry is weight hourly space velocity. By definition, it is the weight of feed flowing per unit weight of the catalyst per hour. The WHSV unit is h^-1. The WHSV can be changed by changing the flow rate of the feed or by changing the amount of the catalyst. In a fixed bed reactor as the amount of catalytic load usually remains fixed the WHSV can be varied by changing the feed flowrate.

Let's see an example of How to calculate WHSV

In a fixed bed reactor 3 gm of catalyst is loaded and the flowrate of methanol is 0.1 ml/min. Calculate the WHSV

Answer:

Weight of methanol flowing for 1 h = Flowrate of methanol * 60 mins * density of methanol = 0.1*60*0.76 = 4.56 g/h.

So,

Now, let's see how to calculate the feed flow rate from WHSV

The WHSV was 1.52 h^-1 when 3 gm of the catalyst was loaded into the reactor. Calculate feed flow rate per minute.

Answer:

Given, 

WHSV = 1 h^-1, 

catalyst weight = 3 g

Now, 

Feed flow rate (g/h) = WHSV (h^-1) * weight of the catalyst (g)

                                 = 1.52*3

                                 = 4.56 g/h

Feed flow rate (ml/h) = 4.56/0.76 = 6 ml/h

Feed flow rate (ml/min) =  6/60 = 0.1 ml/min

In this way, you can calculate WHSV and feed flow rate from WHSV. Leave a comment below if this article helped you.