Hydrodynamics of bubble column reactors at high gas velocity: experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Simulations

TitleHydrodynamics of bubble column reactors at high gas velocity: experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Simulations
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsRampure, MR, Kulkarni, AA, Ranade, VV
JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume46
Issue25
Pagination8431-8447
Date PublishedDEC
Type of ArticleArticle
ISSN0888-5885
Abstract

This paper focuses on the modeling of flow and mixing in a bubble column reactor operated at high gas velocities (up to 0.40 m/s). A dual-tip conductivity probe was used to measure local void properties such as local time-averaged gas holdup, chord length distribution, bubble velocity distribution, and interfacial area. Chord length distribution was converted to bubble size distribution, using the backward transformation method. Liquid-phase mixing time measurements were conducted using a conductivity probe. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the unsteady gas-liquid flow in a bubble column using commercial code FLUENT 6.2. The time-averaged flow properties predicted by CFD simulations were compared with the experimental data. The role of unsteady flow structures in mixing was studied. The `' multiple snapshots `' approach was used to simulate the mixing time using CFD. The mixing times that were predicted for all superficial gas velocities compared favorably to the measured values. This study of the hydrodynamic behavior of a bubble column at higher gas velocity provides a basis for understanding and simulating solid suspension (or solid mixing) in slurry bubble column reactors.

DOI10.1021/ie070079h
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)2.567
Divison category: 
Chemical Engineering & Process Development