Modeling of Bubble Column Reactors

Bubble columns are also used for a number of conventional processes such as oxidation, hydrogenation, chlorination, chemical gas cleaning and also various bio-technological applications [28, 109, 132, 133, 126]. 

For two-phase bubble columns the balance equations determining the liquid (slurry) phase axial dispersion model can be written as [133, 28]  

Partial Oxidation of ethylene to Acetaldehyde BC with External Loop Onken [109], Deckwer [28] 

Oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid Cascade BC Shah et al [132], Onken [109] 

Oxidation of p-xylene to Dimethylterephthalate BC with external loop or Cascade Onken [109] 

Partial oxidation of ethylene BC with external loop Onken [122], Deckwer [29] 

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Gasche, H. E., Edinger, C., KOmpel, H., and Hofinann, A fluid-dynamically based model of bubble column reactors. Chem. Eng. Technol. 13,341 (1990). 

FIGURE 9.13 Concept of multiscale modeling of bubble column reactors (from Bauer and Eigenberger, 1999). 

Menzel, T, Weide, T., Staudacher, O., Wein, O. and Onken, U. (1990), Reynolds shear stress for modelling of bubble column reactors, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 29, 988-994. 

Jakobsen HA, Lindborg H, Dorao CA (2005) Modeling of Bubble Column Reactors Progress and Limitations. Ind Eng Chem Res 44 5107-5151... 

Menzel T, in der Weide T, Staudacher O, Wein O, Onken U (1990) Reynolds Shear Stress for Modeling of Bubble Column Reactors. Ind Eng Chem Res 29 988-994... 

In chap 8 the basic bubble column constructions and the principles of operation of these reactors are described. The classical models for two- and three phase simple bubble column reactors are defined based on heat and species mass balances. The state of the art on fluid djmamic modeling of bubble column reactors is then summarized including a few simulations of reactive flows. 

Jakobsen, H.A., Lindborg, H., and Dorao, C.A. (2005b), Modeling of bubble column reactors Progress and limitations, Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research, 44(14) 5107-5151. 

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