Tubular electrocatalytic membrane reactor for alcohol oxidation: CFD simulation and experiment

A functional electrocatalytic membrane reactor (ECMR) was performed for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol (TFP) into high value-added sodium 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate (STFP). A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique was applied to simulate the hydrodynamic distributions along a tubular ECMR so as to provide guidance for the design and optimization of ECMR. Two-dimensional simulation with porous media model was employed to predict the properties of fluid dynamics in ECMR. The experimental investigation was carried to confirm the CFD simulation. Results showed that a uniform distribution of permeate velocity along the tubular reactor with short length and large diameter could be obtained. TFP conversion of 97.7%, the selectivity to STFP of 99.9% and current efficiency of 40.1% were achieved from the ECMR with a length of 40 mm and an inside diameter of 53 mm. The simulations were in good agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2016 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.