Energy effectiveness and working characteristics of different tower reactors for aerated slurry systems

Abstract

Decisive hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics of different types of tower reactors (rotating disc reactor, single and multistage sieve-tray bubble columns, tower reactor with ejector gas distributor) as well as the energy effectiveness of their performance were compared with the purpose to establish a quantitative basis for the qualified choice of the proper reactor type according to demands of specific reaction processes. Selected design parameters included gas and solid phase holdup, kLaL, liquid phase residence time distribution, and axial distribution of the solid phase, the experiments were carried out in a wide range of solid phase concentration (0-20 wt. %) and particle sizes (2.3-280 μm). The experimental results proved that due to their favourable suspension characteristics and operation stability the rotating disc reactors can be advantageously used for slow reaction processes with low demands on the intensity of interfacial gas-liquid contact which can be carried out at low gas flow rates. On the other hand the multistage bubble column reactors proved to be superior devices for transport–controlled reaction processes regarding both the achievable rate of interfacial mass transfer and the overall energetic efficiency of phase contacting.