TITLE: Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Reactor Systems. Quarterly Report, August 1-October 31, 1984.

AUTHOR: C. N. Satterfield;   T. Bartos.

INST.  AUTHOR: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge. Dept. of Chemical Engineering.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  1984,  40p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE85002311/INW

ABSTRACT:

In slurry reactors as used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or liquid phase methanol synthesis, an important design factor is the effect of solids loading on gas-liquid mass transfer. Little information is available for organic liquids, which differ significantly from water in their behavior.  A detailed study has been completed of the influence of solid particles upon the global mass transfer parameters, k/sub L/a and a, as determined in a mechanically stirred, one-liter autoclave. The interfacial area, a, was evaluated by the unsteady state absorption with simultaneous reaction in the fast-reaction regime of CO sub 2 with cyclohexylamine in a 90% toluene and 10% isopropanol mixture. The overall mass transfer coefficient, k/sub L/a, was determined by the unsteady state desorption of helium from a helium-saturated solution of cyclohexylamine in the toluene and isopropanol mixture into a nitrogen purge stream. Experiments were conducted at near-ambient conditions. Mixtures of 6 to 8% CO sub 2 in N sub 2 , a superficial gas velocity of 0.75 cm/s, and solutions of 0.25 M cyclohexylamine were used. Stirring speeds ranged from 350 to 1750 rpm. The solid properties investigated were particle concentration (0 to 45 vol %), size (35 to 200 mu m), density 0.7 to 4.5 g/ml), and composition (glasses of several densities, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polypropylene). To evaluate the mass transfer parameters, the liquid and solid phases were modelled as a single homogeneous slurry phase behaving as a CSTR, while the gas phase was modelled as a PFR with recycle. Varying the recycle ratio, R, allowed the entire spectrum of gas phase mixing possibilities (CSTR to PFR) to be modelled. 34 references. (ERA citation 10:006547)

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/40771-14

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-81PC40771