Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"Given their efficiency and capital cost reduction, bubble/slurry bubble column reactors are the reactors of choice for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, offering clean alternative fuels and chemicals. FT synthesis is an exothermic process that requires many heat exchanging tubes in order to remove heat efficiently and maintain the desired temperature and isothermal operating condition. The impact of the heat exchanging tubes (internals) on the hydrodynamics is not fully understood. Reliably designing and scaling up bubble column reactors requires proper understanding of hydrodynamics, as well as heat and mass transfer parameters.

The main objective of this work is to advance the understanding of the effect of internals (25% covered cross-sectional area to meet FT needs) on hydrodynamics (gas holdup distribution, 3D liquid velocity, Reynolds stresses, turbulent kinetic energy, eddy diffusivity, etc.) in bubble columns. Single-source y-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Radioactive Particle Tracking (RPT) were used for the first time to study the effect of dense internals and gas velocity on the phase holdup distribution and radial profiles, liquid velocity field and turbulent parameter profiles.

The main findings obtained for the first time in this study can be summarized as follows:

  • The presence of internals at a given superficial gas velocity causes:
  • An increase in gas holdup and the axial centerline liquid velocity
  • A sharp decrease in turbulence parmeters
  • The increase in superficial gas velocity in the presence of internals causes:
  • An increase in gas holdup, axial centerline liquid velocity and turbulent parameters.

"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Al-Dahhan, Muthanna H.

Committee Member(s)

Neogi, P. (Partho), 1951-
Wang, Jee C.
Lee, Hyoung-Koo
Hosder, Serhat

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2013

Pagination

xvii, 179 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-178).

Rights

© 2013 Mohammed Khloofah Al Mesfer, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Chemical reactors -- Fluid dynamics -- Mathematical models
Multiphase flow -- Mathematical models
Gas-liquid interfaces
Fischer-Tropsch process

Thesis Number

T 10336

Print OCLC #

861287774

Electronic OCLC #

908465949

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