CFD Simulation of Microchannel Reactor Block for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Effect of Coolant Type and Wall Boiling Condition on Reactor Temperature

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• 作者：Krishnadash S. Kshetrimayum ; Ikhwan Jung ; Jonggeol Na ; Seongho Park ; Yongkyu Lee ; Seongeon Park ; Chul-Jin Lee ; Chonghun Han
• 刊名：Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：January 27, 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：55
• 期：3
• 页码：543-554
• 全文大小：632K
• ISSN：1520-5045

文摘

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of heat transfer in a microchannel reactor block for low temperature Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis was considered. Heat generation profiles for different operating conditions (GHSV 5000 h^–1; catalyst loading 60%–120%, where 100% loading equals 1060 kg/m³ of cobalt based catalyst from Oxford Catalyst Ltd.) were obtained from a single channel model. Simulations on a reactor block quantified the effects of three coolant types: cooling oil (Merlotherm SH), subcooled water and saturated water, on reactor temperature, and also evaluated the effect of wall boiling conditions. At process conditions of GHSV 5000 h^–1 and catalyst loading of 120%, predicted temperature gradients along channel length were 32, 17 and 12 K for cooling oil, subcooled water and saturated water, respectively. A modified reactor block showed improved thermal performance as well as heat transfer enhancement due to wall boiling conditions.