Prediction of Flow Patterns of Rotating Inclined Reactors by Using a Modified Permeability Approach

Abstract

A new inclined rotating tubular fixed bed reactor was recently suggested for process intensification of heterogeneous catalytic multiphase reactions. Favorable operating conditions can be achieved by operating the reactor in a wetting intermittency mode by periodic catalyst immersion in a stratified gas‐liquid flow. This flow pattern adjustment, which requires the careful selection of reactor inclination and rotation, eventually enhances the reaction rate. To predict the flow patterns by means of computational fluid dynamics, a 3D model based on the relative permeability approach was developed, in which gas and liquid phases flow concurrently downwards through the inclined rotating tubular fixed bed reactor. The model can clearly predict the four evolving patterns, depending on the operating conditions. The model was capable of correctly predicting the hydrodynamics for aqueous liquid mixtures with varying viscosity and surface tension.

Reaktoren für Dreiphasen-Reaktionen: Rieselbettreaktoren

“…Umfangreiche hydrodynamische Studien untersuchten die Auswirkungen einer periodischen Modulation des Flüssigkeitsdurchsatzes am Reaktorkopf auf den zeitlichen Verlauf des Flüssigkeitsholdups entlang der Reaktorachse (Jiang et al 2001(Jiang et al , 2002bGunjal et al 2005;Janecki et al 2008;Atta et al 2010a). Atta et al (2010b) und Subramanian et al (2016) simulierten die Phasenverteilungen im Querschnitt geneigter und teilweise rotierender Rieselbettreaktoren vor dem Hintergrund eines verbesserten Gas-Katalysator-Stofftransports. Das Phasenverteilungsvermögen von keramischen Feststoffschäumen als Alternative zu regellosen Katalysatorschüttungen (siehe Kap.…”

Intensifying Multiphase Reactions and Reactors: Strategies and Examples

“…Subramanian et al [80] and Harting et al [81] One of the other strategies proposed for enhancing transport rates in trickle bed reactors is use of periodic flows.…”

“…Subramanian et al and Harting et al . discuss an inclined rotating fixed bed reactor for process intensification of heterogeneous catalytic multiphase reactions.…”

“…Subramanian et al 80 and Harting et al 81 discuss an inclined rotating fixed bed reactor for process intensification of heterogeneous catalytic multiphase reactions. The basic idea of the new concept is to superimpose reactor inclination and rotation.…”