Consecutive Flow Distributor Device for Mesostructured Reactors and Networks of Reactors

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Ricardo J. Santos (Author) FEUP; Isabel O. Barbosa (Author) FEUP; Claudia G Silva (Author) FEUP; Margarida S.C.A. Brito (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification

Vol. 167 No. 108541

ISSN: 0255-2701

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 3 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-00V-8VY

DOI: 10.1016/j.cep.2021.108541

Abstract (EN): A manifold is introduced for homogeneous flow distribution to feed arrays of mesoreators or mesostructured networks of reactors. The flow distributor, hereafter the channelCOMB, consists of a main prismatic channel with an array of prismatic outlet channels. The configuration of channelCOMB enables the fabrication from both additive and subtractive manufacturing technologies. The flow distribution in channelCOMB is studied from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The parametric design of the device is made with CFD and addresses all the relevant dimensions. The best design of channelCOMB in terms of flow distribution is analysed for fabrication through Additive Manufacturing by stereolithography considering fabrication tolerance typically around +/- 50 mu m. A better flow distribution is reached for lower inlet velocity values, larger depth values, smaller expansion ratios from the inlet channel to the main chamber of ChannelCOMB, and narrower outlet chambers. An analytical mechanistic model was developed to calculate the pressure drop inside the device and to determine the outlet channels flow rate distribution. The model was implemented in an optimisation algorithm using Excel solver, and from the model analytical solution using Maple. These computer tools enable the fast design of channelCOMB distributors for multichannel devices and were validated from results of CFD simulations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 22