Two-phase flow effect on methane conversion in pyrolysis reactors embedding molten salts or metals
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In this work, we numerically investigate the impact of flowrate, sparger and reactor geometry on methane conversion in lab-scale cylindrical pyrolysis reactors embedding molten salts or metals. A multiscale approach is enforced, where a diffusion-reaction model yielding the conversion vs time within a single rising bubble is combined with the average residence time of gas bubbles obtained through the two-phase turbulent bubbly flow model. We find that the relative size of the sparger and the height-to-diameter ratio of the molten medium are key parameters for controlling the average residence time of the bubbles, which always results lower than that predicted by the terminal velocity of a single bubble rising in an overall static melt. The highest relative discrepancy (order 300%) between the single-bubble estimate and the CFD-based residence time is found in the case of molten salts in low-aspect ratio reactors fed by small spargers. The physical mechanism underpinning the influence of geometric parameters on the overall conversion is addressed in detail, together with the impact of two-phase flow effects on the estimation of bubble size in laboratory scale bubble reactors. • Multiscale approach developed for conversion vs. height in molten media pyrolysis reactors. • Effect of gas flow rate and reactor geometric characteristics on residence time assessed. • Turbulent motion of liquid causes decrease in residence time compared to stagnant liquid. • Proposed approach allows indirect measurement of bubble diameter from experimental conversion.
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,400
OpenAlex ID: W4404112334