Effect of design parameters on system mixing for a micro fluidized bed reactor using computational fluid dynamics simulation

Abstract

Nowadays, conventional multiphase flow reactors have many operational problems, non-uniform distribution of gas–solid particles and low heat and mass transfers. To overcome these operation problems, this study proposes the use of a micro fluidized bed reactor, verifying its feasibility with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The other advantages of the micro fluidized bed reactor are increased surface area and easy scale-up. However, the literature data about the CFD simulation of micro fluidized bed reactors and the effects of parameters on system mixing inside this reactor are still limited. This study objective is thus to develop the CFD simulation of a micro fluidized bed reactor and to explore the effect of design parameters on system mixing using statistical design and analysis of experimental methodology. The design parameters consist of the diameter of the reactor, percent inlet opening area and height of the reactor. The suitable system mixing will have a positive effect on heat and mass transfer rates, as well as the chemical reaction rate. The results reveal that a micro fluidized bed reactor with diameter of 5 mm, percent inlet opening area of 100% and reactor height of 6 mm gives the best uniform distribution of gas–solid particles.