Modelling and simulation of a slurry bubble column reactor for green fuel production via hydrocracking of vegetable oil

Abstract

A slurry bubble column reactor to produce green fuel through hydrocracking of vegetable oil with Ni-W/SiO2-Al2O3 catalyst was simulated in this research with the objectives being to obtain a mathematical model of the reactor and an optimum operation condition. The steady state two-dimensional axisymmetric model of the slurry bubble column reactor with the diameter of 2.68 m and height of 7.14 m was modelled by considering mass and heat transfers. The very small liquid superficial velocity reflects that the liquid phase is in batch-like operation. The gas of 0.01 m/s in superficial velocity flows upward to suspend and agitate the spherical catalyst particles of 100 μm in diameter inside the reactor. The reactor operated at 80 bar and 420°C. Triglyceride of 5% w/w in dodecane and hydrogen of 105.5 mol hydrogen/triglyceride enter the reactor from the bottom. The research also considered pressure drop and loading catalyst distribution inside the reactor. Simulation results show that the triglyceride conversion is 99.26%, the product yield is 40.68% w/w, and the product purity is 45.55% w/w.