Experimental and theoretical analysis of the hydrodynamic and reaction behavior of inclined rotating tubular fixed bed reactors for gas-liquid reactions

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Markus Schubert
• Subject Area: Technical Chemistry
• Term: from 2010 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 181096315

In the past project on the experimental and theoretical analysis on the hydrodynamic and reactive behavior of an inclined rotating fixed bed reactor for gas-liquid reaction, a new reactor concept was developed. In particular the evolving flow regimes were characterized and a conversion enhancement at stratified flow conditions was experimentally shown.The follow-up project aims on the development of an application-oriented and predictive model approach for the calculation of the space time yield for different inclined rotating reactor designs with stratified flow. The model is based on the two-phase Euler CFD model, which predicts the evolving stratified flow. The effects of the periodic wetting and draining of the catalyst packing is addressed by a linked catalyst particle model.The successful development of the whole model depends on a systematic experimental analysis of the key parameters of the stratified flow depending on reactor rotational velocity, inclination properties and flow rates of the fluid phases as well as on the packing specifications and reactor designs. The model will be validated against experimental reaction data and subsequently used for the identification of suitable operating conditions. This procedure ensures providing all required methods for the design of processes in rotating tubular reactors.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants