Microtomography-based numerical simulations of heat transfer and fluid flow through β -SiC open-cell foams for catalysis

Abstract

ARTICLE IN PRESS

Analytical Geometrical Model of Open Cell Foams with Detailed Description of Strut‐Node Intersection

“…In this case, the sample was filled with a liquid tracer; the images require a robust post‐processing routine . Micro‐computed tomography ( μ ‐CT) has been adopted for different supports (both ceramic and metallic) , , , , and is nowadays considered as the most reliable technique for the investigation of geometrical parameters of open cell foams . Different software packages were developed specifically for the post‐processing of foam tomographies , in order to reconstruct a 3D representation of the structure and perform the analysis of relevant parameters, i.e., cell and pore size distribution and solid tortuosity.…”

X-ray micro computed tomography characterization of cellular SiC foams for their applications in chemical engineering

“…μ-CT characterization of cellular foams was also carried out with the main focus on exploring morphometric properties and mechanical behaviors of materials [3,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Transport and hydrodynamic properties of cellular foams are related closely to their morphological properties such as the cell size, porosity, strut thickness, etc. To date, only a few works endeavored to interpret μ-CT data of cellular foams for continuous-flow chemical applications [2,3,5,32,33].…”

“…Cellular ceramic foams [1][2][3][4][5] have gained increasing popularity in chemical engineering, especially as catalyst supports, due to their irresistible combination of attractive features, such as, low pressure drop (in comparison with fixed beds with the same exchange area), and enhanced mixing (in comparison with monolithic reactors). Specifically, for continuous-flow catalytic processes with liquid-or multi-phases, in addition to the low pressure drop, enhanced transport phenomena such as mass and momentum transfer are also mandatory because the diffusivity of species in the liquid phase is generally five orders of magnitude lower than one in the gas phase.…”

Nickel Sulfides Decorated SiC Foam for the Low Temperature Conversion of H2S into Elemental Sulfur

“…The presence of a passivated thin layer of SiO 2 /SiO x C y at the SiC surface (formed during the final calcination of the support at 800 °C in air) gives the support a dual hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, which plays a key role in the anchoring and stabilization of the metal active phase [33] as well as in the sulfur storage mechanism throughout the low temperature desulfurization process. Finally, the thermal conductivity of SiC limits the formation of “hot spots” [34], thus avoiding the occurrence of side-reactions, which are particularly detrimental to the process selectivity (i.e., H 2 S over-oxidation). …”