Abstract
This study examines potential intensification benefits that can be gained by compressing a process stream into a liquid state, including process volume reduction, reduction of heating requirements, and improvement in thermal management. These benefits allow for a reduction in both capital costs associated with reactor sizing and operating costs associated with decreased heat duties and improved heat integration. For a reaction which obeys first-order kinetics, liquid phase operation has the potential for >1000× reduction in volume due to the unusually large difference in the densities of liquid and vapor phases. Although pumping requirements are greater for pressurized liquid phase operation compared with ambient pressure gas, the increased energy required for pumping is generally more than offset by reductions in the heat required for vapor phase operation. Likewise, mass-flux normalized heat transfer coefficients are 50–130% greater in the liquid phase compared with the vapor phase. Several literature case studies are evaluated to demonstrate potential benefits of liquid phase operation and provide guidance on the types of processes that merit further consideration.
Accepted Version (
Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call