(234ab) Gamma-ray Computed Tomography (CT)Technique for Pilot-Scale Bubble Column Reactor

Abbas J. Sultan*1, Laith S. Sabri*2, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan*3

*Multiphase Reactors and Applications Laboratory (mReal). Department of Chemical and Biochemical

Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409-1230. USA

1ajshw9@mst.edu, 2lssf25@mst.edu , 3aldahhanm@mst.edu,

Introduction

Cross-sectional gas holdup distribution in pilot-scale bubble column without and with a bundle of cooling tubes is crucial for design, scale-up and performance of these multiphase flow system. There is still a lack of knowledge and understanding of the cross-sectional gas holdup distribution in large scale reactors. Therefore, in this work an advanced gamma-ray computed tomography (CT) technique (see figure 1) has been utilized for the first time to visualize and quantify the impact of size, and configurations of the intense heat exchanging tubes (internals) on the cross-sectional distribution and diameter profiles of the gas holdup at different superficial gas velocities covers the bubbly to the turbulent flow regime (0.05-0.45 m/s). Two different sizes of internals (0.5 and 1-inch in diameter) with different configurations, including hexagonal and circular shape arrangements for internals, have been investigated in the 6-inch (0.14 m) and 18-inch (0.46 m) bubble columns using the air-water system. The vertical internals arrangements were blocked 25% of the total cross-sectional area of the column to mimic the occluded cross-sectional area of heat exchanger tubes that are used in industrial such as Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. As a conclusion, the experimental results provide benchmark data for simulation, design, scale-up, and performance of the pilot plant scale bubble column reactors. The experimental results and conclusions will present at the conference.

a b

Figure 1 Advanced Non-Invasive Gamma-ray Computed Tomography (CT) technique.

(a) Pilot-Scale Bubble column without Internals (b) Pilot-Scale bubble column with internals