Optimization of gas distributor to improve flow characteristics in a particular slurry bubble column reactor using CFD-PBM coupled method

An optimization investigation of circular gas distributor to improve intrinsic flow behavior in a pilot-scale slurry bubble column reactor with a helical heat exchanger by employing a modified CFD-PBM coupled model was performed. The influences of gas distributor ring size and opening diameter on flow parameters under industrial operating conditions were systematically investigated. A sensitivity study on the number of bubble size groups was conducted to illustrate the most reasonable grouping of bubble sizes for different opening diameters by comparing the predicted gas holdup to the empirical correlations. An increase of opening diameter facilitated the improvement of gas holdup and uniform distribution of bubble. An increase of gas distributor ring diameter enhanced the bubble breaking effect and circulating flow of liquid phase, resulting in the increase of small bubbles and the uniform distribution of gas holdup. This work provided reliable guides for optimizing circular gas distributor in scale-up synthesis process.