Periodic open cellular structures (POCS) for intensification of multiphase reactors: Liquid holdup and two-phase pressure drop

Publication date: April 2018 Source:Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification, Volume 126 Author(s): Markus Lämmermann, Giulia Horak, Wilhelm Schwieger, Hannsjörg Freund Structuring concepts for catalytic reactors provide promising options for process intensification on the process unit level [1,2] as they offer a better control on the occurring transport processes, e.g. on the fluid flow, species distribution, pressure drop and heat transfer. Process intensification aims at the realization of processes that are only limited by reaction kinetics, but not anymore on hydrodynamics [3]. For this reason, in multiphase reactors it is desirable to achieve good liquid distribution, advanced heat transport and low pressure drop, just to mention a few transport characteristics. In this regards, the use of periodic open cellular structures (POCS) is a recent and very promising structuring concept, as packings of these structures offer superior and adjustable properties (e.g. low pressure drop, high surface area, good liquid distribution, advanced heat transfer) [4–8]. In this contribution, static and dynamic liquid holdup as well as single- and two-phase pressure drop was measured in POCS. These kinds of structures can be used as catalyst support in packed bed reactors, and also as liquid distributor for trickle-bed applications. The POCS investigated in this study were fabricated with different additive manufacturing methods (fused deposition modeling, st...

Source: Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification - March 22, 2018 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research