• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.65-77
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• 2016

Modeling for complex reacting flow in Fischer-Tropsch reactor is one of the challenges in the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). It is hard to derive each and every reaction rate for all chemical species because Fisher-Tropsch reaction produces many kinds of hydrocarbons which include lots of isomers. To overcome this problem, after analyzing the existing methodologies for reaction rate modeling, non-Anderson-Schulz-Flory methodology is selected to model the detailed reaction rates. In addition, the inside flow has feature of multi-phase flow, and the methodologies for modeling multi-phase flow depend on the interference between the phases, distribution of the dispersed phase, flow pattern, etc. However, existing studies have used a variety of inside flow modeling methodologies with no basis or rationale for the feasibility. Modeling inside flow based on the experimental observation of the flow would be the best way, however, with limited resources we infer the probable regime of inside flow based on conventional fluid dynamics theory; select the appropriate methodology of Mixture model; and perform systematic CFD modeling. The model presented in this study is validated through comparisons between experimental data and simulation results for 10 experimental conditions.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.931-937
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• 2008

Rigorous multiscale modelling and simulation of the MTR for WGSR was carried out to accurately predict the behavior of process variables and the reactor performance. The MTR consists of 4 fixed bed tube reactors packed with heterogeneous catalysts, as well as surrounding shell part for the cooling purpose. Considering that fluid flow field and reaction kinetics give a great influence on the reactor performance, employing multiscale methodology encompassing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and process modeling was natural and, in a sense, inevitable conclusion. Inlet and outlet temperature of the reactant fluid at the tube side was $345^{\circ}C$ and $390^{\circ}C$, respectively and the CO conversion at the exit of the tube side with these conditions approached to about 0.89. At the shell side, the inlet and outlet temperature of the cooling fluid, which flows counter-currently to tube flow, was $190^{\circ}C$ and $240^{\circ}C$. From this heat exchange, the energy saving was achieved for the flow at shell side and temperature of the tube side was properly controlled to obtain high CO conversion. The simulation results from this research were accurately comparable to the experimental data from various papers.