Characterization of a photocatalytic reaction in a continuous‐flow recirculation reactor system

A continuous‐flow recirculation mode, generally called a recycle mode, is known to be practically meaningless except when the reactant is separated from the product at the reactor exit or when the reaction is autocatalytic, because when simply circulating a small amount of the fluid containing a reactant, the reactant concentration in this mode is lowered due to mixing of the fluid at the reactor entrance, leading to a decrease in the conversion at the reactor exit. This mode may, however, be meaningful in photocatalytic reactions with very large film‐diffusional resistance. To indicate the validity of this estimation, therefore, characteristics of a continuous‐flow recirculation reactor have been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. As a result, it is found that by increasing the circulation flow rate the conversion and productivity in this reactor is higher than that in a continuous‐flow reactor because the film‐diffusional resistance is remarkably reduced. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Three-dimensional CFD model of the temperature field for a pilot-plant tubular loop polymerization reactor

A three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, using an Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model which incorporates the kinetic theory of granular flow, the energy balance and heat transfer equations, was developed to describe the steady-state liquid-solid two-phase flow in a loop propylene polymerization reactor composing of loop and axial flow pump. The entire temperature field in the reactor was calculated by the model. The predicted pressure gradient data were found to agree well with the classical calculated data. Furthermore, the model was used to investigate the influences of the circulation flow velocity, the slurry concentration, the solid particle size and the cool water temperature on the temperature field in the reactor. The simulation results showed that the whole loop can be divided into four sections. In addition, the simulation results also showed that the continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) assumption is invalid for the entire field in the loop reactor.     

蛇形管内汽液泡状流与传热的数值模拟

建立了含有相变过程的汽液泡状流VOF数值模型,通过同实验进行流型对比,验证了模型的有效性。模拟研究了蛇形管内汽液泡状流传热过程,结果表明：二次流导致冷热流体混合;在单汽泡流动时,弯管壁面上温度场在汽泡经过后具有良好的恢复能力;在汽泡串流动时,二次流将弯管下半部温度较高的流体带入上半部,有效提升上半部壁温,从而造成上壁面温度在汽泡经过前后出现较大的变化。     

CFD analysis of flow field in square cyclones

In this study, computational fluid dynamic method is used to predict and evaluate the flow field inside a square cyclone. The flow field is calculated using 3D Reynolds-averaged Naveir-Stokes equations. The Reynolds stress transport model (RSTM) is used to simulate the Reynolds stresses. The Eulerian-Lagrangian computational procedure is implemented to predict particle trajectory in the cyclone. The Newton's second law is used to study the particle trajectory with modeling the drag and gravity forces acting on the particles. The velocity fluctuations are simulated using the discrete random walk (DRW). Two square cyclones which have different geometries are studied. The cyclones are simulated at different flow rates. The details of the flow field are studied in the cyclones and the effect of varying the flow rates is observed. Tangential velocity is investigated in different sections inside the square cyclone. Contour of pressure and turbulence intensity is shown for different inlet velocities inside the cyclones. It is observed that different geometries, also different inlet velocities, could affect on the pressure drop. The collection efficiency and the flow patterns obtained numerically are compared with the experimental data and good agreement is observed.     

Three‐Dimensional CFD Simulation of Stratified Two‐Fluid Taylor‐Couette Flow

Two‐fluid Taylor‐Couette flow, with either one or both of the co‐axial cylinders rotating, has potential advantages over the conventional process equipment in chemical and bio‐process industries. This flow has been investigated using three‐dimensional CFD simulations. The occurrence of radial stratification, the subsequent onset of centrifugal instability in each phase, the cell formation and the dependency on various parameters have been analyzed and discussed. The criteria for the stratification, Taylor cell formation in each phase have been established. It can be stated that the analysis of single‐phase flow acts as the base state for the understanding of radial stratification of the two‐fluid flows. The extent of interface deformation also has been discussed. A complete energy balance has been established and a very good agreement was found between dissipation rate by CFD predictions and the energy input rate through the cylinder/s rotation.     

Three‐dimensional CFD‐PBM coupled model of the temperature fields in fluidized‐bed polymerization reactors

A three‐dimensional (3‐D) computational fluid dynamics model, coupled with population balance (CFD‐PBM), was developed to describe the gas–solid two‐phase flow in fluidized‐bed polymerization reactors. The model considered the Eulerian–Eulerian two‐fluid model, the kinetic theory of granular flow, the population balance, and heat exchange equations. First, the model was validated by comparing simulation results with the classical calculated data. The entire temperature fields in the reactor were also obtained numerically. Furthermore, two case studies, involving constant solid particle size and constant polymerization heat or evolving particle‐size distribution, polymerization kinetics, and polymerization heat, were designed to identify the model. The results showed that the calculated results in the second case were in good agreement with the reality. Finally, the model of the second case was used to investigate the influences of operational conditions on the temperature field. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011     

Three‐dimensional simulation of the time‐dependent fluid flow and fouling behavior in an industrial hollow fiber membrane module

A novel three‐dimensional CFD model has been developed on the basis of fluid flow in the shell and lumen sides, and permeation and fouling behavior in the porous membrane zone. The simulated 25‐min dead‐end outside‐in filtration process showed that the energy consumed by the inlet manifold decreases during the constant pressure filtration. The velocity and pressure distributions in the module change with time. Flux distribution both in the axial and radial directions becomes increasingly more uniform, so does the cake distribution. Flux distribution and cake distribution inter‐adjust each other in different modes. A correlation equation has been developed to describe the relationship between the volumetric flow rate and accumulated water production. The correlation equation with simple experiment enables the dynamic evolution of energy consumed by shell inlet manifold to be presented, which can be the criterion of how well the shell inlet manifold or module has been designed. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2655–2669, 2018     

基于水泥除尘+脱硝流场的CFD数值模拟研究

随着社会环保意识的增强,大气污染物的排放标准也日益严格,这给环保工程带来了极大的潜在市场。脱硝反应器设计作为SCR脱硝工艺中除了催化剂的另一核心,在水泥行业没有更好的催化剂被研发出来之前,想要脱硝设备的性能得到极佳的发挥,在高温高尘区布置除尘+脱硝设备已经是工程上的一个选择,而在高尘区要保证催化剂的稳定、高效运行,流场的优化必不可少。本文针对某水泥行业除尘+脱硝项目,采用CFD软件对其流场进行数值模拟,并给出导流板的优化设计方案。结果表明:在电除尘器上进气口布置合适的导流板,使得进入电场的烟气分布均匀;同时在整流格栅前添加导流板,脱硝反应器内的流场也得到了极大改善。因此,采用CFD软件数值模拟对水泥行业除尘+脱硝有着重要的意义。     

双溢流立体传质塔板上液相流场CFD研究

采用计算流体力学方法对直径为2 600 mm的工业规模双溢流立体传质塔板板上气液二相流动进行了模拟研究。计算了不同工况下收缩流和扩张流2种流型的液相流场分布,得到了双溢流塔板收缩流和扩张流2种流型的板上气液二相流场分布规律。通过将清液层高度的CFD结果和经验公式的计算结果进行对比,验证了所建模型的正确性。模拟计算结果表明:边降液管收缩流板面液相流动较均匀,近似于均匀的收缩流,不存在回流区;中降液管扩张流板面液相流动不均匀,靠近塔板中心流速较快,塔板弓形区存在着回流现象;板孔处的帽罩区液层较其他地方小,液相体积分数较其他地方低,扩张流受气相的影响较收缩流大。     

Three dimensional CFD simulations of gas–liquid flow in milli torus reactor without agitation

The paper presents the results of numerical simulations of the fluid flow in milli torus reactor operated as airlift without agitation. CFD simulations were performed in 3D using FLUENT 6.2.16 numerical software. Unstructured mesh for prediction of gas hold up inside the milli torus reactor was investigated. An Eulerian-Eulerian multi-fluid approach was applied with a k − ? turbulence model. The inter-phase drag forces were used. For simplification of the solution, the bubbles inside the reactor were assumed to have the same size. The computed gas hold up was compared with the experimental data, a good agreement was obtained for unstructured meshing. For such mesh, simulations were validated with experimental residence time distribution (RTD) determination.     

Three‐dimensional flow measurements in a static mixer

Laminar heat and mass transfer are central to a wide range of industrial processes, encompassing (thermal) processing of viscous fluids, compact equipment for process intensification, and emerging microfluidic devices. Many of these applications incorporate the “static‐mixing principle” (stirring of a throughflow by internal elements) for mixing and heat‐transfer enhancement. Investigations on static mixers primarily concern numerical simulations. Experimental studies, on the other hand, are relatively rare and to date restricted to visualization of mixing patterns or integral quantities as for example, pressure drop and heat‐transfer coefficients. The present study expands on this by quantitative experimental analysis of three‐dimensional (3‐D) flow fields and streamline patterns in a representative static mixer using 3‐D particle‐tracking velocimetry. This necessitates tackling of (internal) refractions and reflections caused by the complex mixer geometry. Comparison of experimental results with numerical predictions reveals a good agreement. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1746–1761, 2013     

带有蛇形流场的微生物燃料电池串联堆性能特性

以四个成功启动的带有蛇形流场的单电池构造了微生物燃料电池串联堆(MFCS-S),测试了MFCS-S性能,探讨了其性能提升的限制因素,研究了增加反极电池阴、阳极电解液流量,采取混联的方式运行,移除反极电池和反接反极电池对电堆性能的影响。实验结果表明:MFCS-S在输出电压为2.11 V时获得最大功率密度(2226 mW·m^-2);在一定电流条件下,性能较差的单电池发生电压反极,这是限制MFCS-S性能提高的主要原因;增加反极电池阴、阳极流量虽然不能较大幅度地改善单电池反极,但是却能大幅度提高电堆功率密度;采用混联方式运行不但可以有效避免电池反极,而且可以大幅度提高电堆功率密度;移除反极电池并不能有效地避免电池的反极,反接反极电池反而进一步加剧反极。     

NGD反应器气相流场及能耗特性研究

高倍率灰钙循环脱硫(NGD)技术具有投资和运行成本低、占地面积小、节水和可避免有色烟羽等优点,在燃煤工业锅炉领域具有较好的发展前景,而已有研究主要关注脱硫反应过程及其影响因素,尚缺乏对NGD反应器内流场和能耗的认识。笔者基于熵产分析方法建立了NGD反应器能耗的定量分析模型,NGD反应器能耗包含因烟气散热引起的能耗和黏性流体流动引起的能耗,其中,黏性流体流动引起的能耗包含湍流耗散和壁面摩擦,此外,由于NGD反应器高度达20 m以上,其进、出口压降还应考虑位置势能变化,因此,NGD进、出口压降包含位置势能变化、湍流耗散和壁面摩擦引起的压降。以某30 t/h煤粉工业锅炉配套的NGD反应器为研究对象,采用CFD方法模拟脱硫反应器内的流场分布,并在此基础上通过能耗分析模型研究脱硫反应器内的能耗组成和分布。结果表明,CFD方法和能耗分析模型计算的NGD进、出口压降与测量值的偏差分别为0.4%和9.6%,因此,CFD方法和能耗分析模型能较为准确地预测脱硫反应器内黏性流体流动引起的能耗,NGD反应器内黏性流体流动和烟气散热引起的能耗分别占NGD总能耗的96.2%和3.8%,可见黏性流体流动对NGD能耗起主导作用,位置势能变化、湍流耗散和壁面摩擦引起的压降分别为237.6、347.4和57.5 Pa,可见湍流耗散对NGD反应器能耗起主导作用。将NGD反应器划分为上部主体反应区、中部加速区和下部烟气入口区,由于黏性流体流动过程中的能量耗散来自不同流层速度差引起的摩擦耗散,因此能耗大小主要取决于不同流层间的速度梯度,而中部加速区平均速度较大且流场分布极不均匀,导致单位体积湍流熵产远高于其他区域,因此其体积虽仅占3.6%,但其熵产占NGD反应器总熵产的53.8%;上部主体反应区速度分布较为均匀且平均速度较小,但其体积占NGD反应器体积的83.3%,因此中部的熵产仍然较大,占总熵产的40.1%;下部烟气入口区流场分布极为不均匀但平均流速较小,单位体积熵产率从下往上逐渐增大,其体积比为13.1%,熵产占总熵产的比值为6.1%。可见,上部和中部是能耗的主要区域,尤其是中部加速区是降低NGD反应器能耗的主要目标区域。     

CFD simulation of flow field and resistance in a 19-core tandem ceramic membrane module

CFD simulation of the permeation process of a 19-core tandem ceramic membrane module was established to investigate flow field and resistance and its change in permeate flux to the membrane element position and the channel of each membrane element. The results show that when the volume flow rate changes from26 m~3·h~(-1) to 89 m~3·h~(-1), the resistance of each part of the membrane module increases gradually. The increase in resistance loss in the membrane element is faster than the plates and the bell mouths. In a single ceramic membrane module, the maximum difference in flow rate of each membrane tube is 7.23%. In a single membrane tube,the outer ring channels 3–5, 3–6, 3–7, 3–8 are relatively slow. The maximum mass flow deviation from the mean is 2.7%. This work helps to clarify the flow mechanism within the modules, optimize the structure of the equipment and provide a reliable basis for the improvement of industrial ceramic membrane modules.     

CFD analysis of two‐phase turbulent flow in internal airlift reactors

The hydrodynamic performance of three internal airlift reactor configurations was studied by the Eulerian–Eulerian k–ε model for a two‐phase turbulent flow. Comparative evaluation of different drag and lift force coefficient models in terms of liquid velocity in the riser and downcomer and gas holdup in the riser was highlighted. Drag correlations as a function of Eötvös number performed better results in comparison to the drag expressions related to Reynolds number. However, the drag correlation as a function of both Reynolds and Eötvös numbers fitted well with experimental results for the riser gas holdup and downcomer liquid velocity in configurations I and II. Positive lift coefficients increase the liquid velocity and decrease the riser gas holdup, while opposite results were obtained for negative values. By studying the effects of bubble size and their shape, the smaller bubbles provide a lower liquid velocity and a gas holdup. The effects of bubble‐induced turbulence and other non‐drag closure models such as turbulent dispersion and added mass forces were analysed. The gas velocity and gas holdup distributions, liquid velocity in the riser and downcomer, vectors of velocity magnitude and streamlines for liquid phase, the dynamics of gas holdup distribution and turbulent viscosity at different superficial gas velocities for different reactor configurations were computed. The effects of various geometrical parameters such as the draft tube clearance and the ratio of the riser to the downcomer cross‐sectional area on liquid velocities in the riser and the downcomer, the gas velocity and the gas holdup were explored. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

新型气固环流反应器内颗粒流动的CFD模拟

采用基于结构的EMMS曳力模型,对一种新型气固环流反应器中的颗粒流动特性进行数值模拟。模拟的固含率与颗粒速率预测值与实验数据具有一致性,验证了模型的适用性。模拟结果表明：导流筒表观气速增加,导流筒中的床层固含率减小,向上的颗粒速率增加;反应器中存在多个颗粒逆流和错流混合区,促进了颗粒沿径向的混合;槽孔处,导流筒中的固含率以及颗粒速率分布更加均匀,而环隙中存在颗粒浓集区;进料区在0≤L≤0.058 m,0< r/R< 0.3的范围内固含率增加并且颗粒存在明显的径向流动。     

An extended DEM–CFD model for char combustion in a bubbling fluidized bed combustor of inert sand

This paper proposes a transient three-phase numerical model for the simulation of multiphase flow, heat and mass transfer and combustion in a bubbling fluidized bed of inert sand. The gas phase is treated as a continuum and solved using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach; the solid particles are treated as two discrete phases with different reactivity characteristics and solved on the individual particle scale using an extended discrete element model (DEM). A new char combustion submodel considering sand inhibitory effects is also developed to describe char particle combustion behavior in the fluidized bed. Two conditions, i.e. a single larger graphite particle and a batch of smaller graphite particles, are used to test the prediction capability of the model. The model is validated by comparing the predicted results with the previous measured results and conclusions in the literature in terms of bed hydrodynamics, individual particle temperature, char residence time and concentrations of the products. The effects of bed temperature, oxygen concentration and superficial velocity on char combustion behavior are also examined through model simulation. The results indicate that the proposed model provides a proximal approach to elucidate multiphase flow and combustion mechanisms in fluidized bed combustors.