Pressure drop and axial dispersion in industrial millistructured heat exchange reactors

Abstract

Hydrodynamic characterization by means of pressure drop and residence time distribution (RTD) experiments is performed in three millistructured heat exchange reactors: two Corning reactors (further referred to as Corning HP and Corning RT) and a Chart reactor. Pressure drop is measured for different flow rates and fluids. Fanning friction factor is then calculated and its evolution versus Reynolds number is plotted for each reactor, showing the influence of the geometrical characteristics of the reactors on this parameter. From RTD experiments, axial dispersion coefficients that allow calculating Péclet numbers are identified by solving the convection-dispersion equation. The results highlight plug flow behavior of these reactors for the range of flow rates studied. Péclet number in Corning HP remains constant in the range of Reynolds number studied. Its specific pattern is designed to generate mixing structures that allow homogenization of the tracer over the cross-section. It explains the plug flow behavior of this reactor even at low Reynolds number but generates high pressure drop. Péclet number in Corning RT and Chart ShimTec® increases with Reynolds number. This evolution is encountered for straight circular pipes in turbulent regime and confirms the pressure drop analysis.