Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to model solar dissociation in a tubular aerosol reactor at ultrahigh temperatures . Reactor aspect ratios ranged between 0.15 and 0.45, with the smallest ratio base case corresponding to a reactor diameter of . Gas flow rates were set such that the ratio was greater than 3:1 and the system residence time was below . The system was found to exhibit highly laminar flow in all cases , but gas velocity profiles did not seriously affect temperature profiles. Particle heating was nearly instantaneous, a result of the high radiation heat flux from the wall. There was essentially no difference between gas and particle temperatures due to the high surface area for conductive heat exchange between the phases. Calculation of conversion showed that significant conversions could be attained for residence times typical of rapid aerosol processing. Particle sizes of negatively affected conversion, but sizes of still gave acceptable conversion levels. Simulation of reaction of product oxygen with the reactor wall showed that a reactor constructed of an oxidation-sensitive material would not be a viable choice for a high temperature solar reactor.
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November 2007
Research Papers
Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of a Tubular Aerosol Reactor for Solar Thermal Decomposition
Christopher Perkins,
Christopher Perkins
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado at Boulder
, ECCH 111, Campus Box 424, Boulder, CO 80309-0424
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Alan Weimer
Alan Weimer
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado at Boulder
, ECCH 111, Campus Box 424, Boulder, CO 80309-0424
Search for other works by this author on:
Christopher Perkins
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado at Boulder
, ECCH 111, Campus Box 424, Boulder, CO 80309-0424
Alan Weimer
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University of Colorado at Boulder
, ECCH 111, Campus Box 424, Boulder, CO 80309-0424J. Sol. Energy Eng. Nov 2007, 129(4): 391-404 (14 pages)
Published Online: May 10, 2007
Article history
Received:
October 24, 2006
Revised:
May 10, 2007
Citation
Perkins, C., and Weimer, A. (May 10, 2007). "Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of a Tubular Aerosol Reactor for Solar Thermal Decomposition." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. November 2007; 129(4): 391–404. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2769700
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