Numerical Simulation of Liquid Flow Characteristics on a Single Spherical Particle for Trickle Bed Reactor

Abstract

Liquid distribution plays a crucial role in the performance of the trickle bed reactor (TBR). Therefore, understanding the flow behavior of a droplet impacting a spherical catalyst particle in the TBR is essential for the design and operation of the reactor. In this study, the volume of fluid (VOF) model was used to investigate this phenomenon. The simulation results revealed two distinctive flow patterns: a uniform liquid film flow pattern and a droplet flow pattern. To quantitatively evaluate the two flow patterns, a postprocessing method was proposed based on the Fibonacci sequence. The results indicate that the uniform liquid film flow pattern can maintain larger total gas–liquid interfacial area and specific interfacial area (thinner liquid film) for a longer residence time compared to the droplet flow pattern, demonstrating that the uniform liquid film flow pattern is a promising way to optimize the TBR performance. To facilitate the formation of a uniform liquid film on the particle, using liquids with smaller contact angles, lower surface tension, and adjusting the droplet/particle size ratio to a suitable range can be suggested.

Multiphase Transportation, Conversion, & Utilization of Energy in Chemical Engineering: A Special Issue for MTCUE-2022

“…In addition, CFD research was applied to fluidized bed reactors. The VOF model was used to quantitatively describe a droplet impacting a spherical catalyst particle in the trickle bed reactor (TBR) by Wei et al The uniform liquid film flow pattern had a larger liquid film area and a thinner liquid film, which was more favorable for gas–liquid interphase mass transfer. The optimization of liquid film flow pattern will be a monumental attempt to upgrade the conventional TBR.…”