CFD modeling of slurry bubble column reactors for Fisher–Tropsch synthesis

Troshko, Andrey; Zdravistch, Franz

doi:10.1016/j.ces.2008.10.022

Cited by 73 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Troshko and Zdravistch [447] employed a two-fluid Eulerian approach to model a three-phase SBCR for F-T synthesis. They used a population balance model to predict the bubble size distribution throughout the reactor and a turbulence was described using the two-equation RNG k-ε turbulence model.…”

Section: Cfd Modeling Of Sbcrsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Bubble Column Reactors: Experimental Investigations and Modeling – A Review

Basha

Sehabiague

Abdel‐Wahab

et al. 2015

International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper presents an extensive review of the kinetics, hydrodynamics, mass transfer, heat transfer and mathematical as well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of Low-Temperature Tropsch Synthesis (LTFT) synthesis in Slurry Bubble Column Reactors (SBCRs), with the aim of identifying potential research and development areas in this particular field. The kinetic expressions developed for F-T synthesis over iron and cobalt catalysts along with the water gas shift (WGS) reactions are summarized and compared. The experimental data and empirical correlations to predict the hydrodynamics (gas holdup, Sauter mean bubble diameter, and bubble rise velocity), mass transfer coefficients and heat transfer coefficients are presented. The effects of various operating variables, including pressure, temperature, gas velocity, catalyst concentration, reactor geometry, and reactor internals on the hydrodynamic and transport parameters as well as the performance of SBCRs are discussed. Additionally, modeling efforts of SBCRs, using axial dispersion models (ADM), multiple cell recirculation models (MCCM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), are addressed. This review revealed the following:(1) Numerous F-T and WGS kinetic rate expressions are available for cobalt and iron catalysts and one must be careful in selecting the appropriate expressions for LTFT. Iron catalyst suffers from severe attrition and subsequent deactivation in SBCRs and accordingly building a costly catalyst manufacturing facility onsite is required to maintain a steady operation of the F-T reactor;(2) Experimental data on the hydrodynamic and transport parameters at high pressures and temperatures, typical to those of actual F-T synthesis, remain scanty when compared with the plethora of studies conducted using air-water systems in small reactors at ambient conditions; (3) Several empirical correlations for predicting the hydrodynamic and mass as well heat transfer parameters are available and one should select those which consider the reactor diameter, gas mixtures and the potential foamability of the F-T liquids; (4) The effect of cooling internals configuration and sparger design on the hydrodynamic and transport parameters, local turbulence, mixing and catalyst attrition are yet to be seriously addressed; (5) The impact of operating variables on the hydrodynamic and transport parameters as well as the overall performance of the SBCRs should be investigated using actual F-T fluid-solid systems under typical pressures and temperatures using a large-scale reactor ( > 0.15 m ID) in the presence of gas spargers and cooling internals; (6) Significant efforts are still required in order to advance CFD modeling of SBCRs, particularly those pertaining to the relevant closure models, such as drag, lift and turbulence. Also, cooling internals configuration and the design as well as orientation of gas spargers should be accounted for in the CFD modeling; and (7) Proper validations of the CFD formulations using actual systems for F-T SBCR are needed.

show abstract

Section: Cfd Modeling Of Sbcrsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Bubble Column Reactors: Experimental Investigations and Modeling – A Review

Basha

Sehabiague

Abdel‐Wahab

et al. 2015

International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The reactor model is based on fundamental insights, backed up by extensive use of cold model studies and supported by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations where appropriate [37,38]. Online tracer studies can also be used to provide supplementary knowledge on axial dispersion in the reactors at different scales and as a function of reactor conditions.…”

Section: Reactor and Process Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

GTL using efficient cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Further work is still needed to get an improved formulation based on physical mechanism. Troshko and Zdravistch simulated the slurry bubble column, with the reaction of Fisher-Tropsch synthesis included, using the CFD-PBM coupled model [29]. The experimentally observed strong influence of the catalyst particle concentration on the bubble size distribution is taken into account by including a catalyst particle-induced modification of the turbulent dissipation rate in the liquid.…”

Section: Some Recent Progressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of bubble column reactors using CFD coupled with a population balance model

Wang

2010

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bubble columns are widely used in chemical and biochemical processes due to their excellent mass and heat transfer characteristics and simple construction. However, their fundamental hydrodynamic behaviors, which are essential for reactor scale-up and design, are still not fully understood. To develop design tools for engineering purposes, much research has been carried out in the area of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and simulation of gas-liquid flows. Due to the importance of the bubble behavior, the bubble size distribution must be considered in the CFD models. The population balance model (PBM) is an effective approach to predict the bubble size distribution, and great efforts have been made in recent years to couple the PBM into CFD simulations. This article gives a selective review of the modeling and simulation of bubble column reactors using CFD coupled with PBM. Bubble breakup and coalescence models due to different mechanisms are discussed. It is shown that the CFD-PBM coupled model with proper bubble breakup and coalescence models and interphase force formulations has the ability of predicting the complex hydrodynamics in different flow regimes and, thus, provides a unified description of both the homogeneous and heterogeneous regimes. Further study is needed to improve the models of bubble coalescence and breakup, turbulence modification in high gas holdup, and interphase forces of bubble swarms.

show abstract

CFD modeling of slurry bubble column reactors for Fisher–Tropsch synthesis

Cited by 73 publications

References 17 publications

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Bubble Column Reactors: Experimental Investigations and Modeling – A Review

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Bubble Column Reactors: Experimental Investigations and Modeling – A Review

GTL using efficient cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

Simulation of bubble column reactors using CFD coupled with a population balance model

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About