Micromixing in a gas–liquid vortex reactor. Issue 7 (29th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ouyang, Yi; Manzano, Manuel Nunez; Beirnaert, Koenraad; Heynderickx, Geraldine J.; Van Geem, Kevin M.
• Is Part Of: AIChE journal. Volume 67:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-03-29
• Subjects: gas–liquid vortex reactor -- micromixing -- Villermaux–Dushman protocol; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; 660.28
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.17264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-1541

Abstract

Abstract: The gas–liquid vortex reactor (GLVR) has substantial process intensification potential for multiphase processes. Essential in this respect is the micromixing efficiency, which is of great importance in fast reaction systems such as crystallization, polymerization, and synthesis of nanomaterials. By creating a vortex flow and taking advantage of the centrifugal force field, the liquid micromixing process can be intensified in the GLVR. Results show that introducing a liquid into a gas‐only vortex unit results in suppression of primary and secondary gas flow. The Villermaux–Dushman protocol is applied to study the effects of the gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and liquid viscosity based on a segregation index. Based on the incorporation model and reaction kinetics, the micromixing time of the GLVR is determined to be in the range of 10 −4 ~ 10 −3 s, which is comparable to the highly efficient rotating packed bed and substantially better than a static mixer.