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

Abstract

AbstractA 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.