Hydrodynamic studies and reactor modelling of a three phase slurry reactor in Fischer Tropsch application

Abstract

In this .study the hydrodynamic characteristics of the slurry bed reactor was investigated. This study was aimed to the under" standing of the important parameters that describe the hydrodynamic regime and their quantification. In order to determine the relevant parameters the use of a theoretical model was necessary. This model should include all the hydrodynamic parameters in form of correlations. A sensitivity study was done and the parameters which have great impact were determined. An extensive literature review was done in order to gather the experience of previous investigations. Unfortunately all the experience was obtained in a different hydrodynamic regime and therefore the published results could not be used directly in our study. Hydrodynamic test were performed in the works pilot plant at the operating conditions. Unlike a laboratory, the instrumentation used was the one use in commercial reactors with the commercially acceptable range of accuracy. A mass balance was done around the reactor to ensure that the data was sound. Heat balance was also performed and the study of the heat transfer coefficient was performed. Although this was beyond the scope of this study was here included due to its importance in the design of slurry bed reactors. An existing computer model was adapted for the churn-turbulent regime and the hydrodynamic parameters were implemented. This reactor model was coupled with flashes subroutines in order to have a complete reactor train. This computer model was used for the design of the Slurry Bed Commercial Reactor to be commissioned on 1993 at Sasol One.