LDA measurements and CFD simulations of an in‐line high shear mixer with ultrafine teeth

Hydrodynamics of a pilot‐scale in‐line high shear mixer (HSM) with double rows of ultrafine rotor and stator teeth, including the velocity profiles and power consumptions, were measured using laser Doppler anemometry and a torque transducer, respectively. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were conducted using the standard k‐ε turbulence model with first‐ and second‐order accuracy and large eddy simulation (LES) with the standard Smagorinsky–Lilly subgrid scale model. Predictive capabilities of the different turbulence models and discretization schemes were assessed based on the experimental data. It is found that the current LES can predict accurately the flow patterns for the strongly rotating and locally anisotropic turbulent flows in the complex in‐line HSM. The results obtained are fundamental to explore potential applications of the in‐line teethed HSMs to intensify chemical reaction processes. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1143–1155, 2014     

Discovery of novel zeolites for natural gas purification through combined material screening and process optimization

An efficient computational screening approach is proposed to select the most cost‐effective materials and adsorption process conditions for CH₄/CO₂ separation. The method identifies eight novel zeolites for removing CO₂ from natural gas, coalbed methane, shale gas, enhanced oil recovery gas, biogas, and landfill gas sources. The separation cost is minimized through hierarchical material screening combined with rigorous process modeling and optimization. Minimum purity and recovery constraints of 97 and 95%, respectively, are introduced to meet natural gas pipeline specifications and minimize losses. The top zeolite, WEI, can recover methane as economically as $0.15/MMBTU from natural gas with 5% CO₂ to $1.44/MMBTU from natural gas with 50% CO₂, showing the potential for developing natural gas reservoirs with higher CO₂ content. The necessity of a combined material selection and process optimization approach is demonstrated by the lack of clear correlation between cost and material‐centric metrics such as adsorption selectivity. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1767–1785, 2014     

Flow and temperature patterns in an inductively coupled plasma reactor: Experimental measurements and CFD simulations

Measurements of temperature patterns in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) have been carried out experimentally. Plasma torch was operated at different RF powers in the range of 3–14 kW at near atmospheric pressure and over a wide range of sheath gas flow rate (3–25 lpm). Measurements were made at five different axial positions in ICP torch. The chordal intensities were converted into a radial intensity profile by Abel Inversion technique. Typical radial temperature profile shows an off‐axis temperature peak, which shifts toward the wall as the power increases. Temperatures in the range of 6000–14,000 K were recorded by this method. The temperature profiles in the plasma reactor were simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A good agreement was found between the CFD predictions of the flow and temperature pattern with those published in the literature as well as the temperature profiles measured in the present work. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3647–3664, 2014     

Contact dynamic modeling of a liquid droplet between two approaching porous materials

A computational fluid dynamics model based on a finite difference solution to mass and momentum conservation equations (Navier–Stokes equations) for a liquid droplet transport between two porous or nonporous contacting surfaces (CSs) is developed. The CS dynamic (equation of motion) and the spread of the incompressible liquid available on the primary surface for transfer are coupled with the Navier–Stokes equations. The topologies of the spread dynamic between and inside both surfaces (primary and CSs) are compared with experimental data. The amount of mass being transferred into the CS, predicted by the model, is also compared to the experimental measurements. The impact of the initial velocity on the spread topology and mass transfer into the pores is addressed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2346–2353, 2014     

CFX模拟在液体分布器开发中的应用

应用计算流体力学ANSYS-CFX软件对同心结构液体分配器和偏心结构分配器的流场进行了模拟。计算结果的对比分析表明:在相同条件下,偏心分配器的流体均布性能良好,液体分配更均匀。模拟结果与实验数据相吻合,说明本文所采用的方法及模型是可行的,为分布器的研究开发,提供一种比较经济科学的模拟预测方法。     

多喷嘴对置式气化炉内气固两相流动与炉壁的颗粒捕捉特性

对多喷嘴对置式气化炉内复杂的气固两相流动与炉壁的颗粒捕捉特性进行三维数值模拟。应用Euler-Lagrange模型模拟气固两相流动,采用Realizable k-ε湍流模型计算炉内气相湍流流场,颗粒轨迹跟踪采用随机轨道模型。模拟结果与冷模测试数据吻合,且流场与热模实验现象一致,壁面捕捉颗粒平均粒径与热态水煤浆气化实验数据吻合。工业规模模拟结果表明,壁面捕捉的颗粒平均粒径呈现一定的规律性,存在两个极大值位置,分别在喷嘴平面下方0.2 m及上方2.8 m处,在喷嘴平面上方,壁面捕捉颗粒粒径随颗粒密度的增大而减小;颗粒沉积能基本覆盖整个炉膛内壁,颗粒在撞击流股作用下在喷嘴平面上方1.8 m及下方1.9 m处沉积量最大;缩短喷嘴上方直段高度将影响炉内流场,拱顶对撞击流股产生一定的限制作用,使其变短变宽,并且使拱顶捕捉颗粒粒径增加,颗粒沉积速率增加。     

流体驱动旋转装备应用与数值模拟方法研究进展

流体驱动旋转装备在能量转换及能量回收等过程中应用广泛。近年来,流体驱动旋转装备新结构不断涌现,其应用也得到了拓展,逐步与海水淡化、制冷、混合、测速等过程结合。在此发展过程中,计算流体力学为流体驱动旋转装备的设计优化提供了新途径。本文综述了流体驱动旋转装备在能源工程、化学工程等领域的应用,总结了流体驱动旋转装备数值模拟方法研究进展,对比了主动旋转及被动旋转两种模拟方法,指出被动旋转模拟在流体驱动旋转装备研究中的意义,展望了流体驱动旋转技术在超重力装备中的应用前景。     

U形导流板换热器传热和阻力性能分析

建立U形导流板换热器和扭转流换热器全截面周期模型,利用计算流体力学（CFD）方法对两种换热器壳程性能进行数值研究。相较于扭转流换热器,U形导流板换热器的壳程压降降低45.3%~47.5%,传热系数降低9.9%~13.5%,均匀性提高2.4%~4.0%,综合性能提高4.0%~14.6%。场协同结果表明,U形导流板换热器壳程流体速度与压力梯度的协同性优于扭转流换热器,而流体速度与温度梯度的协同性不如扭转流换热器。本文利用激光多普勒测速仪（LDV）验证了模拟方法准确性和模拟结果的可靠性;分析了U形导流板结构参数及布置方式对换热器壳程压降和传热性能的影响。结果表明,U形导流板的布置角度和布置方式对性能影响显著,导流板宽度和导流板间距的影响较小。     

搅拌槽中酯化反应热失控的CFD模拟

热失控是化工过程中常见的安全风险之一。在间歇釜式反应器中,桨叶的机械转动可以增强流体的循环流动、湍流强度、混合程度以及传热,进而有效防范热失控。防控效果与反应器结构和搅拌桨型密切相关。针对丙酸异丙酯酯化反应,采用计算流体力学模拟研究了桨型(Rushton桨、30o PBT桨及60o PBT桨)、转动方向和挡板对釜式反应器内温度演化的影响,从流动结构方面分析了原因。基于散度的失控判据比较了三种搅拌桨抑制热失控的能力,抑制能力为Rushton桨＞30° PBTD桨＞60° PBTD桨。本研究可为搅拌反应器热失控的优化设计提供一定的理论依据。