Detection of Gas-Liquid Dynamics in Monolithic Channels using Ultra-Fast X-Ray Tomography

Markus Schubert, Frank Fischer, Uwe Hampel

Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Safety Research, P.O. Box 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany, m.schubert@fzd.de

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a new ultra-fast X-ray tomography was applied for visualization of the gas-liquid flow in monolith structures. Such channel structures are a promising shaped version of typical catalysts for heterogeneous reactions that can replace conventional catalyst particle packings in many gas-liquid- solid applications. For optimization of the initial gas-liquid distribution as well as for derivation of hydrodynamic conditions in the channels, gas-liquid dynamics in all channels of a monolith block need to be monitored.

Temporal evolution of flow patterns in the structure are analyzed with respect to the gas saturation distribution and to the bubble characteristics. Furthermore, two-phase flow in the monolith is compared with corresponding flow patterns without internal structures.

Keywords Monolith Reactor, Gas-Liquid Distribution, Ultra-fast X-Ray Tomography