Toward Understanding of Two-Phase Eccentric Helical Reactor Performance

Abstract

Mass transfer investigations in a two-phase gas-liquid Couette-Taylor flow (CTF) reactor and a numerical flow simulation are reported. The CTF reactor is characterized by high values of the mass transfer parameters. Previous mass transfer investigations have yielded high values of the volumetric mass transfer coefficients (of the order of 10 -1 s -1 ) and the specific interfacial area, compared to those obtained in a stirred tank (10 3 m 2 m -3 ). In order to intensify mass transfer in the CTF reactor, an eccentric rotor (rotating inner cylinder) was used. In the eccentric annulus with rotating inner cylinder, due to frequent variation of the hydrodynamic flow field parameters, nonlinear hydrodynamic conditions occurred. These conditions can influence the rate of mass transfer. The experimental results of benzaldehyde oxidation in an eccentric CTF reactor confirmed an increase in mass transfer, as against a concentric CTF reactor. Numerical simulation of the Couette-Taylor (helical) flow was performed in a concentric and in an eccentric annulus. Calculation of parameters such as velocity, static pressure, kinetic energy and energy dissipation rate revealed a significant effect of gap eccentricity on the flow behavior.