Radioisotope tracer study in trickle bed reactors

The residence time distribution (RTD) of liquid phase in trickle bed reactors has been measured for air‐water system using radioisotope tracer technique. Experiments were carried out in a glass column of internal diameter of 0.152 m packed with glass beads and actual catalyst particles of two different shapes. From the measured RTD curves, mean residence time of liquid was calculated and used to estimate liquid holdup. The axial dispersion model was used to simulate the experimental data and estimate mixing index, ie. Peclet number. The effect of liquid and gas flow rates on total liquid holdup and Peclet number has been investigated. Results of the study indicated that shape of the packing has significant effect on holdup and axial dispersion. Bodenstein number has been correlated to Reynolds number, Galileo number, shape and size of the packing.     

Lead adsorption in a serpentine millichannel-based packed-bed device: Effect of hydrodynamics and mixing characteristics

The present study depicts the hydrodynamics and the mixing characteristics in a millichannel-based serpentine fixed-bed device to attain the particular demands of the miniature adsorption devices' fabrication. Residence time distribution analyses were accomplished to analyze the velocity distribution inside the packed bed geometry. The effects of operating variables on the system hydrodynamics and mixing and their impact on the lead adsorption characteristics were enunciated. New correlations were proposed for the frictional resistance and axial dispersion of the fluid. The parametric effects on the lead ions [Pb(II)] adsorption were studied in the same millichannel geometry packed with the graphene oxide coated glass beads. The kinetics of the adsorptive removal process is assessed by the Thomas model and the Yoon–Nelson model. The regeneration study of the said millichannel-based fixed-bed device was also executed.     

Residence time distribution and dispersion of gas phase in a wet gas scrubbing system

Residence time distribution (RTD) of exhaust gas in a wet scrubbing system was investigated for application to the removal of SO _x , NO _x or dust included in exhaust gas. The mixing of gas phase in the wet scrubbing system was also examined by considering the axial dispersion coefficient of gas phase. Effects of gas amount (velocity), liquid amount (velocity) and solid floating materials on the residence time distribution (RTD) and axial dispersion coefficient of exhaust gas were discussed. The addition of solid floating materials could change the RTD and thus dispersion of exhaust gas in the scrubbing system. The mean residence time and axial dispersion coefficient of exhaust gas were well correlated in terms of operating variables.     

The Residence Time Distribution of the Liquid Phase in a Bubble Column and Its Effect on Ozone Transfer

Residence time distribution (RTD) experiments are carried out in a pilot plant (QL = 1 m³.h^?1). The RTD curves are analyzed by the completely mixed reactors in series model or by the axial dispersion model. Measurements are performed either on the overall bubble column or on four equal parts of the reactor. The bottom part (gas introduction) is completely mixed. The top part (water introduction) is a mixed reactor in which the middle parts are plug flow reactors with a weak axial dispersion coefficient. Dissolved ozone measurements along the column are in agreement with that model which allows a reactor modelization to compute the dissolved ozone profiles.     

Hydrodynamics and mass transfer enhancement of gas–liquid flow in micropacked bed reactors: Effect of contact angle

Pressure drop, residence time distribution, dispersive behavior, liquid holdup, and mass transfer performance of gas–liquid flow in micropacked bed reactors (μPBRs) with different contact angles (CA) of particles are studied. The value of pressure drop for three types of beads can be obtained: copper beads (CA = 88.1°) > stainless steel beads (CA = 70.2°) > glass beads (CA = 47.1°). The liquid axial dispersion coefficient is 1.58 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.07 × 10⁻⁵ m²/s for glass beads and copper beads, which is smaller than those of trickle bed reactors. The liquid holdup of 400 μm copper beads is larger than that of 400 μm glass beads. The ratio of effective interfacial area enhancement is evaluated up to 55% for big contact angle beads compared with the hydrophilic glass beads. In addition, correlations of pressure drop, liquid holdup, and effective interfacial area in μPBRs with different wettability beads are developed and predicted values are in agreement with the experimental data.     

RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUID FLOW IN A TRICKLE BED EVALUATED USING FFT DECONVOLUTION

An approach or deconvolution by the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is applied to analyze the tracer response for evaluation of residence time distribution (RTD) from the raw data obtained in a double run of tracer experiments. A novel intuitive technique of coordinated smoothing in the frequency and time domains is tested for its accuracy and compared with the literature-reported method of regularization for measurement noise filtering. Tracer experiments were performed in 75 mm I. D. trickle bed packed with 2.7 mm glass beads, and RTD charts sampled in the trickling flow regime indicate that serious maldistribution of liquid trickling flow and hydrodynamic multiplicity exists even for a trickle bed with the ratio of height to diameter being up to 10. Using FFT deconvolution with coordinated smoothing to remove the interference originated outside the packed section seems to be effective and necessary for analysis and interpretation of tracer experiments.     

Axial gas phase dispersion in a molten salt oxidation reactor

Gas phase axial dispersion characteristics were determined in a molten salt oxidation reactor (air-molten sodium carbonate salt two phase system). The effects of the gas velocity (0.05–0.22 m/s) and molten salt bed temperature (870–970 °C) on the gas phase axial dispersion coefficient were studied. The amount of axial gas-phase dispersion was experimentally evaluated by means of residence time distribution (RTD) experiments using an inert gas tracer (CO). The experimentally determined RTD curves were interpreted by using the axial dispersions model, which proved to be a suitable means of describing the axial mixing in the gas phase. The results indicated that the axial dispersion coefficients exhibited an asymptotic value with increasing gas velocity due to the plug-flow like behavior in the higher gas velocity. Temperature had positive effects on the gas phase dispersion. The effect of the temperature on the dispersion intensity was interpreted in terms of the liquid circulation velocity using the drift-flux model.     

Residence time distribution in a packed bed bioreactor containing porous glass particles: Influence of the presence of immobilized cells

An experimental investigation of the liquid phase residence time distribution (RTD) in a packed bed bioreactor containing porous glass particles is presented. For Re < 1, intraparticle forced convection is negligible and only diffusion, characterized by an effective diffusion coefficient, must be considered to describe the mass transfer process between the extraparticle and the intraparticle fluid phase. For Re > 1, the mass transfer rate becomes dependent on the liquid flow rate, indicating the existence of intraparticle convection. A model including axially dispersed flow for the external fluid phase and an ‘apparent’ effective diffusivity that combines diffusion and convection, predicts experimental RTD data satisfactorily. Yeast cells immobilized inside the porous glass beads did not affect the mass transfer rate at low biomass loading. At high biomass loading (0·02 g yeast cells g^?1 carrier), the mass transfer rate between the extraparticle and intraparticle fluid phase was significantly decreased. Comparison of the RTD data from experimets performed in the presence and absence of cells in the external fluid phase revealed that the mass transfer rate is influenced by the cells immobilized inside the porous particles and not by the cells present in the external fluid phase.     

Design of a new FM01-LC reactor in parallel plate configuration using numerical simulation and experimental validation with residence time distribution (RTD)

The goal of this work was to develop new geometry design of inlet and outlet distributors of the FM01-LC in parallel plate configuration using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The new distributor geometry was experimentally evaluated with RTD experimental curves using the stimulus-response technique and approximated with axial dispersion model (ADM), plug dispersion exchange model (PDEM) and by solving the hydrodynamic (Reynolds average Navier–Stokes equation for low Reynolds number, RANS-LRN) and mass transport (convection–diffusion equation in transient and turbulent regimen) equations using computational fluid dynamics (F-tracer RTD method). Two sets of RTD experiments (common and new inlet and outlet distributors) in FM01-LC reactors with channel thickness of 0.011 m were carried out. The volumetric flows (Q) employed were from 0.5 to 3.5 L min⁻¹ (U₀ = 0.02-0.15 m s⁻¹). The new FM01-LC reactor had a more homogeneous velocity field in the entire reaction zone, as shown by axial dispersion values lower than those obtained with the common FM01-LC, at different Reynolds numbers. The RTD curves obtained with Comsol Multiphysics 4.3a are in agreement with RTD experimental curves, but deviations are observed at Reynolds numbers greater than “5991”.     

旋转填料床与盘管组合反应器中的流动特性

以饱和的NaCl水溶液为示踪剂,采用脉冲法考察了液体流量、转子转速对旋转填料床与盘管组合反应器停留时间分布(RTD)曲线的影响。用轴向扩散模型对流动状况和返混程度进行了表征。结果表明,组合反应器内的流体流动型态与盘管相同,接近活塞流,且流量越大,平均停留时间越短。旋转填料床转子转速对组合反应器停留时间分布影响很小。     

Residence time distribution and modeling of the liquid phase in an impinging stream reactor

Based on some experimental investigations of liquid phase residence time distribution (RTD) in an impinging stream reactor, a two-dimensional plug-flow dispersion model for predicting the liquid phase RTD in the reactor was proposed. The calculation results of the model can be in good agreement with the experimental RTD under different operating conditions. The axial liquid dispersion coefficient increases monotonously with the increasing liquid flux, but is almost independent of gas flux. As the liquid flux and the gas flux increase, the liquid dispersion coefficient of center-to-wall decreases. The axial liquid dispersion coefficient is much larger than that of center-to-wall, which indicates that the liquid RTD is dominated mainly by axial liquid dispersion in the impinging stream reactor.     

Residence time distribution and modeling of the liquid phase in an impinging stream reactor

Based on some experimental investigations of liquid phase residence time distribution (RTD) in an impinging stream reactor, a two-dimensional plug-flow dispersion model for predicting the liquid phase RTD in the reactor was proposed. The calculation results of the model can be in good agreement with the experimental RTD under different operating conditions. The axial liquid dispersion coefficient increases monotonously with the increasing liquid flux, but is almost independent of gas flux. As the liquid flux and the gas flux increase, the liquid dispersion coefficient of center-to-wall decreases. The axial liquid dispersion coefficient is much larger than that of center-to-wall, which indicates that the liquid RTD is dominated mainly by axial liquid dispersion in the impinging stream reactor.     

LIQUID PHASE TRANSPORT PROPERTIES IN A HIGH PRESSURE PACKED COLUMN

A mathematical model of fluid flow and mass transfer in a packed bed was derived and used to evaluate the liquid phase axial dispersion and mass transfer coefficients under high pressure conditions. The least-squares method was used to evaluate the rate parameters from experimental breakthrough curves, and the agreement between the concentration curves predicted from rate parameters and those measured experimentally was good. Experiments were performed at 20 and 200°C with water as a solvent and nonporous soda-lime glass beads as packing. Although the axial dispersion coefficient was independent of temperature and pressure, the mass transport parameters were found to be pressure dependent.     

Material transport in a continuous rotary drum. Effect of discharge plate geometry

Experimental results on the influence of the discharge plate geometry on the dimensionless residence time distribution (RTD) for material transport in a continuous rotary drum are described. The RTD obtained by a stimulus-response technique for the different discharge plates can be described well by the axial dispersed flow model. Based on the characteristic Peclet number of the flow regime, material flow tended more towards the plug flow condition at an intermediate size discharge opening. Calculation of the axial dispersion coefficient in each case revealed that the open-ended drum behaved more like an ideal mixer. The implication of these results on the design of continuous rotary devices is discussed.     

The axial dispersion performance of an oscillatory flow meso-reactor with relevance to continuous flow operation

A laboratory scale continuous oscillatory flow meso-reactor was developed and residence time distribution (RTD) studies were carried out in order to establish certain process characteristics of the system. In particular, the dispersion coefficient as a function of the primary variables was established. Using optical probes the axial dispersion was investigated by monitoring the response of a pulse dye tracer at different locations within the meso-reactor. Three cases, net flow without oscillation, oscillation without net flow, and oscillation plus net flow were studied over a range of oscillation frequencies, amplitudes, and net flow rates. Both the imperfect and the perfect pulse injection methods were used to determine the axial dispersion coefficient for the system with and without net flow. The axial dispersion coefficient and the dimensionless dispersion number were analysed in the context of different flow conditions. A correlation was established and demonstrated that the axial dispersion within the meso-reactor could be quantified as a function of flow conditions. The results showed that the laboratory continuous flow meso-reactor was able to produce plug flow with modest axial dispersion over a wide range of parameter space, thereby indicating efficient mixing and effective RTD performance.     

Axial and lateral dispersion of fine particles in a binary-solid riser

Axial and lateral mixing of fine particles in a binary-solid riser have been investigated using a phosphor tracer method. The measured bimodal residence time distribution (RTD) demonstrated two types of axial dispersions of the fines: the dispersion of discrete particles and that of clusters. A proposed one-dimensional, bimodal dispersion model describes the bimodal RTDs very well. The axial Peclet number of the fines is not sensitive to the fraction of coarse particles, gas velocity and solids circulation rate. Lateral solids dispersion was determined by measuring the solids RTD at different radii using a point source tracer injection. A two-dimensional dispersion model describes the measured RTDs satisfactorily. Lateral solids mixing decreased as coarse particles were added into the riser. Correlations of the axial and lateral Peclet numbers obtained fit the experimental data well.     

A comparison of the performance of electrochemical reactor designs in the treatment of dilute solutions

The performance and efficiency of five different types of electrochemical reactors were compared, using the test reaction: Cu²⁺Cu ? 2e. The cell types used comprised parallel plate with forced flow, the same design packed with Netlon® and glass beads respectively between the parallel plates, a cell using mesh electrodes and lastly a packed bed type reactor. The experimentally obtained limiting current densities are compared with predicted values and cell performances is discussed in terms of these and other parameters such as pressure-drop across the cells.     

Influence of high density particles in reduction of axial dispersion in liquid fluidized bed with residence time distribution curve studies

iquid phase RTD curves were investigated in classical fixed and fluidized bed regimes with high density particles. The effect of liquid velocity was studied on bed hydrodynamics. Using an impulse tracer injection technique in a column of 5 cm inner diameter and 1.2 m height, liquid RTD, mean residence time (MRT), axial dispersion coefficient (ADC) and vessel dispersion number (N _D ) were determined. ADC increases with liquid superficial velocity. It varied from 4.63 to 20.7 cm²/s for the particle Reynolds number of 43 to 279, respectively. The experimental results show that the hight density particles cause less ADC than the low density particles at an identical Reynolds number.     

Continuous Methanolysis of Palm Oil Using a Liquid–Liquid Film Reactor

A system for the continuous methanolysis of palm oil using a liquid–liquid film reactor (LLFR) was developed and characterized. This reactor is a co-current, constant diameter (0.01 m), custom-made packed column where the mass transfer area between the partially miscible methanol-rich and vegetable oil-rich phases is created in a non-dispersive way, without the intervention of mechanical stirrers or ultrasound devices. An increase in contact area between phases enhances reaction rate while the absence of small, dispersed droplets of one phase into the other diminishes the settling time at the end of the reaction. In this study variations on the concentration of catalyst (sodium hydroxide), flow rate of palm oil and normalized length of the reactor (L/L _max) were explored, keeping constant both the methanol to oil molar ratio and the temperature of the reaction (6:1 and 60 °C). The best experimental results with a reactor of 1.26 m (L/L _max = 1.0) showed a conversion of palm oil of 97.5% and a yield of methyl esters of 92.2% of the theoretical yield, when the mass flow rate and the residence time of the palm oil were 9.0 g min⁻¹ and 5.0 min, respectively. To determine the mean residence time and the degree of axial mixing in the reactor, a residence time distribution (RTD) study was performed using a step-function input. The dispersion model appears to fit well the RTD experimental data.     

Paste Residence Time in a Spouted Bed Dryer. II: Effect of Spout Operational Conditions

Residence time distributions for an aqueous solution of 10% sodium chloride in a spouted bed dryer of inert particles were determined using the stimulus-response technique. Glass and polyethylene beads with diameters 2.6 and 3.4 mm were used as inert bodies in a cylindrical column of 14.0 cm diameter and 60° conical base. The effects of inert bodies load, air, and paste flow rates on the mean residence times and RTD were determined following 2³ factorial designs. The RTD could be correlated to the perfect mixing cell model with R² varying from 0.8684 to 0.9815. The mean residence times in CSBD varied from 10.8 to 13.9 and 10.7 to 13.3 min for glass and polyethylene beads, respectively. For both inert particles, mean residence times increased with bed height and decreased with paste feed rates. Also, terms of interaction among the factors were significant in some cases, showing a complex behavior of paste residence times. Equations obtained by response surface regression could predict mean residence times on glass and polyethylene beads with deviations lower than ±10%.