Continuous Generation of Gas‐Water Slugs with Improved Size Uniformity at a Tunable Scale

Abstract

AbstractSlug flow has received increased interest due to the slugs serving as individual microreactors for enhanced process efficiency and product quality. In this study, slugs were continuously generated in various scales and sizes, with slug size uniformity studied by in‐line imaging. Different strategies of gas flow control and slug scale‐up were evaluated regarding the slug size distribution. With modified gas flow control, the slug uniformity was improved significantly. Slug flow can also be scaled up without sacrificing slug size uniformity, either by increasing the reservoir feeding volume or the flow rate. The type of gas used (air and nitrogen) to generate slugs does not affect the slug size uniformity. A narrow slug size distribution can improve the particle size distribution and, hence, lead to better product quality.