Oscillatory baffled reactor Design

Solano, J.P., Herrero, R., Espin, S. et al. (2012) Numerical study of the flow pattern and heat transfer enhancement in oscillatory baffled reactors with helical coil inserts. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 90,732-742. 

Phan, A. N., Harvey, A. P., Rawchffe, M. (2011). Continuous screening of base-catalysed biodiesel production using new designs of mesoscale oscillatory baffled reactors. Fuel Processing Technology, 92, 1560—1567. 

Figure 5.20 Mixing based design methodoiogy for continuous oscillatory baffled reactors (Harvey and Stonestreet, 2002).

Harvey, A.P. and Stonestreet, P. (2002). A mixing-based design methodology for continuous oscillatory baffled reactors. Chem. Eng. Res. Des., Vol. 80, pp. 31-44. 

In most of the attractive examples of intensified process equipment (e.g. in-line mixers, spinning disc reactors, rotating packed-beds, micro-reactors, etc.) the fluid residence time is measured in seconds. Therefore, a process designer should consider the use of these devices, provided that the reactions are (or can be made to be) completed in this time frame. If this is not the case, then the fluid intensity should be detuned to match the relatively relaxed kinetic environment. In this event, with a continuous process, a simple tubular reactor with very modest flow velocities could provide adequate plug flow and residence times up to several hours. In the case of a number of biological processes, as an alternative example, substantial intensification can be achieved using a continuous oscillatory baffled reactor (COBR, see Chapter 5), where residence times may be at best minutes and could extend to hours. 

NiTech offer industrial experience, expertise and practical know how on how to improve existing batch and continuous process using NiTech technology, as well as aiding in the development of new innovative processes. NiTech technologies are centered on the design and implementation of baffled chemical reactors and process reactors known as the Continuous Oscillatory Baffled Reactor (COBR ) and the Tubular Reactor (TBR ) (NiTech Solutions 2007). 

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