Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of the Micromixing Efficiency in a Rotating-Packed-Bed Reactor

Micromixing in rotating-packed-bed (RPB) reactors is of great significance for their process-intensifying performance. On the basis of the iodide-iodate reaction system, a two-dimensional computational framework of RPB was developed to investigate the micromixing efficiency in a RPB. The volume-of-fluid multiphase model, laminar finite-rate model, and the Reynolds stress model were adopted to simulate the volumetric fraction of the liquid phase, the concentration distributions, and the effects of rotating speed and liquid flow velocity on the micromixing performance of a RPB. The computational fluid dynamics results showed that the micromixing and reaction processes occurred mainly in the inlet region of RPB packing, which further confirmed the end effect of the packing. An increase of the rotating speed and liquid flow velocity could remarkably enhance the micromixing efficiency in a RPB. On the basis of the incorporation model, the micromixing time in a RPB was estimated as 0.05-0.30 ms, indicating a remarkably quick micromixing performance.