Modeling and Simulation of a Fischer–Tropsch Slurry Bubble Column Reactor Using Different Kinetic Rate Expressions for Iron and Cobalt Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract A user-friendly simulator based on a comprehensive computer model for slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) was used to predict the performance of a conceptual commercial-scale (9-m ID and 50-m height) SBCR for Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthesis. Novel correlations for predicting the hydrodynamic and mass transfer parameters; a new relationship between the axial dispersion of large gas bubbles and their average diameter; and up to ten different kinetic rate expressions available in the literature for iron and cobalt-based catalysts were included in the simulator. The effects of operating conditions, including catalyst concentration, pressure, temperature, H2/CO ratio, and superficial gas velocity on the SBCR performance were predicted using the simulator for both types of catalysts. The predictions showed that the performance of the reactor was strongly dependent on the type of catalyst and the kinetic rate expression used.