Application of gamma-ray tomography for the development of flow regime maps of an inclined rotating fixed-bed reactor

H.-U. Härtinga, A. Bieberlea, M. Schuberta, U. Hampela,b

aInstitute of Fluid Dynamics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf,

Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany

bAREVA Endowed Chair of Imaging Techniques in Energy and Process Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany

Abstract

This contribution presents the inclined rotating fixed-bed reactor as a new chemical reactor concept for heterogeneous multiphase reactions. By combining the inclined and rotating operation of a fixed-bed, this new process intensification equipment allows for flow regime adjustment at fixed flow rates and overcomes liquid maldistribution. A highly integrated, compact gamma-ray computed tomography system for the non-invasive investigation of the flow regimes in the new reactor is presented, as well. Based on systematic flow experiments, flow regime maps for the inclined rotating fixed-bed reactor are generated for the first time and the effects of varying physico-chemical properties of the liquid phase on the flow regimes are discussed.

Keywords: Gamma-ray computed tomography, process intensification, multiphase flow, fixed-bed reactor, flow regime maps