Experimental and numerical characterisation of two-phase flow in NETmix reactors

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Fernandes, S (Author) Other; Brito, SCA (Author) Other; Manrique, A (Author) Other; Madalena M. Dias (Author) FEUP; Lopes, B (Author) Other; Ricardo J. Santos (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification

Vol. 194

ISSN: 0255-2701

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

LA LSRE-LCM - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 para a Unidade LA LSRE-LCM Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reacção - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-9WW

DOI: 10.1016/j.cep.2023.109580

Abstract (EN): NETmix has been shown to be an efficient mixing technology for miscible fluids, promoting large heat and mass transfer rates. This work intends to assess NETmix for multiphase mixing, which is particularly relevant to evaluate the NETmix's ability to couple mixing and heat transfer. The first step is to build fundamental knowledge regarding two-phase flow in these devices. A 2D CFD two-phase model was implemented based on the Euler-Euler approach with the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method using the NETmix Unit Block (NUB). The two phases are liquids with equal density and viscosity, enabling the study of the impact of the interfacial tension and contact angle on the flow dynamics and drop formation. Mass transfer was assessed from the flow shear at the interface of the two phases. The CFD model was experimentally validated using a water-cyclohexane system. The NETmix technology promotes high flow dynamics and large interfacial area generation between the two phases. The successive split and recombining of flow contribute to an intense fluid renewal around the two phases' interface, enhancing the mass transfer rate. NETmix shows potential for multiphase applications, particularly between two immiscible liquid phases, with a four-fold increase of the interfacial area of immiscible fluids.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19