Hydrodynamics of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in slurry bubble column reactors: Final report
This report describes studies on hydrodynamics of bubble columns for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. These studies were carried out in columns of 0.051 m and 0.229 m in diameter and 3 m tall to determine effects of operating conditions (temperature and gas flow rate), distributor type (sintered metal plate and single and multi-hole perforated plates) and liquid media (paraffin and reactor waxes) on gas hold-up and bubble size distribution. In experiments with the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) derived paraffin wax (FT-300) for temperatures between 230 and 280/sup 0/C there is a range of gas velocities (transition region) where two values of gas hold-up (i.e., two flow regimes) are possible. Higher hold-ups were accompanied by the presence of foam (''foamy'' regime) whereas lower values were obtained in the absence of foam (''slug flow'' in the 0.051 m column, or ''churn-turbulent'' flow regime in the 0.229 m column). This type of behavior has been observed for the first time in a system with molten paraffin wax as the liquid medium. Several factors which have significant effect on foaming characteristics of this system were identified. Reactor waxes have much smaller tendency to foam and produce lower hold-ups due to the presence of larger bubbles. Finally, new correlations for prediction of the gas hold-up and the specific gas-liquid interfacial area were developed on the basis of results obtained in the present study. 49 refs., 99 figs., 19 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A & M Univ., College Station, TX (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-84PC70027
- OSTI ID:
- 5823505
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/70027-10; ON: DE88000383
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
CHEMICAL REACTORS
DESIGN
FLUID MECHANICS
GAS-FLOW PROCESSES
HYDRODYNAMICS
COAL LIQUEFACTION
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
BOROSILICATE GLASS
BUBBLES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOAMS
GAS FLOW
HEAT TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PARAFFIN
PROGRESS REPORT
SCALING LAWS
SLURRIES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
ALKANES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COLLOIDS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
GLASS
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
LIQUEFACTION
MECHANICS
MIXTURES
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SUSPENSIONS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WAXES
010405* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
420400 - Engineering- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow