Pyrolysis of rice husk and corn stalk in auger reactor:Part 1. Characterization of char and gas at various temperatures

In this study, rice husk and corn stalk have been pyrolyzed in an auger pyrolysis reactor at pyrolysis temperatures of 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, and 600 °C in order to investigate the effect of the pyrolysis temperature on the pyrolysis performance of the reactor and physicochemical properties of pyrolysis products (this paper focuses on char and gas). The results have shown that the pyrolysis temperature significantly affects the mass yields and properties of the pyrolysis products. The mass yields of pyrolysis liquid and char are comparable to those reported for the same feedstocks processed in fluidized bed reactors. With the increase of the pyrolysis temperature, the pyrolysis liquid yield shows a peak at 500 °C, the char yield decreases, and the gas yield increases for both feedstocks. The higher heating value (HHV) and volatile matter content of char increase as the pyrolysis temperature increases from 350 to 600 °C. The gases obtained from the pyrolysis of rice husk and corn stalk mainly contain CO2, CO, CH4, H2, and other light hydrocarbons; the molar fractions of combustible gases increase and therefore their HHVs subsequently increase with the increase of the pyrolysis temperature.

A database ATP simulated waveforms of shunt reactor switching cases with vacuum breakers on motor circuits

This paper presents a database ATP (Alternative Transient Program) simulated waveforms for shunt reactor switching cases with vacuum breakers in motor circuits following interruption of the starting current. The targeted objective is to provide multiple reignition simulated data for diagnostic and prognostic algorithms development, but also to help ATP users with practical study cases and component data compilation for shunt reactor switching. This method can be easily applied with different data for the different dielectric curves of circuit-breakers and networks. This paper presents design details, discusses some of the available cases and the advantages of such simulated data.

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of a flat plate photocatalytic reactor for storm and wastewater reuse

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has been performed for a flat plate photocatalytic reactor using CFD code FLUENT. Under the simulated conditions (Reynolds number, Re around 2650), a detailed time accurate computation shows the different stages of flow evolution and the effects of finite length of the reactor in creating flow instability, which is important to improve the performance of the reactor for storm and wastewater reuse. The efficiency of a photocatalytic reactor for pollutant decontamination depends on reactor hydrodynamics and configurations. This study aims to investigate the role of different parameters on the optimization of the reactor design for its improved performance. In this regard, more modelling and experimental efforts are ongoing to better understand the interplay of the parameters that influence the performance of the flat plate photocatalytic reactor.

Flow field investigation in a water treatment reactor using computational fluid dynamics

The hydrodynamic behaviour of a novel flat plate photocatalytic reactor for water treatment is investigated using CFD code FLUENT. The reactor consists of a reactive section that features negligible pressure drop and uniform illumination of the photocatalyst to ensure enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. The numerical simulations allowed the identification of several design issues in the original reactor, which include extensive boundary layer separation near the photocatalyst support and regions of flow recirculation that render a significant portion of the reactive area. The simulations reveal that this issue could be addressed by selecting the appropriate inlet positions and configurations. This modification can cause minimal pressure drop across the reactive zone and achieves significant uniformization of the tested pollutant on the photocatalyst surface. The influence of roughness elements type has also been studied with a view to identify their role on the distribution of pollutant concentration on the photocatalyst surface. The results presented here indicate that the flow and pollutant concentration field strongly depend on the geometric parameters and flow conditions.

CFD Simulation of turbulence promoters in a water treatment reactor

A new immobilized flat plate photocatalytic reactor for wastewater treatment has been proposed in this study to avoid subsequent catalyst removal from the treated water. The reactor consists of an inlet, reactive section where catalyst is coated and an outlet parts. In order to optimize the fluid mixing and reactor design, this study aims to investigate the influence of baffles and its arrangement on the flat plate reactor hydrodynamics using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. For simulation, an array of baffles acting as turbulence promoters is inserted in the reactive zone of the reactor. In this regard, results obtained from the simulation of a baffled- flat plate photoreactor hydrodynamics for different baffle positions, heights and intervals are presented utilizing RNG k-ε turbulence model. Under the conditions simulated, the qualitative flow features, such as the development and separation of boundary layers, vortex formation, the presence of high shear regions and recirculation zones, and the underlying mechanism are examined. The influence of various baffle sizes on the distribution of pollutant concentration is also highlighted. The results presented here indicate that the spanning of recirculation increases the degree of interfacial distortion with a larger interfacial area between fluids which results in substantial enhancement in fluid mixing. The simulation results suggest that the qualitative and quantitative properties of fluid dynamics in a baffled reactor can be obtained which provides valuable insight to fully understand the effect of baffles and its arrangements on the flow pattern, behaviour, and feature.

Residence time investigation in a co-axial dielectric barrier discharge reactor

The residence time distribution (RTD) is a crucial parameter when treating engine exhaust emissions with a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactor. In this paper, the residence time of such a reactor is investigated using a finite element based software: COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) discharge is being introduced as a promising method for pollutant emission reduction. DBD is one of the most advantageous of NTP technologies. In a two cylinder co-axial DBD reactor, tubes are placed between two electrodes and flow passes through the annuals between these barrier tubes. If the mean residence time increases in a DBD reactor, there will be a corresponding increase in reaction time and consequently, the pollutant removal efficiency can increase. However, pollutant formation can occur during increased mean residence time and so the proportion of fluid that may remain for periods significantly longer than the mean residence time is of great importance. In this study, first, the residence time distribution is calculated based on the standard reactor used by the authors for ultrafine particle (10-500 nm) removal. Then, different geometrics and various inlet velocities are considered. Finally, for selected cases, some roughness elements added inside the reactor and the residence time is calculated. These results will form the basis for a COMSOL plasma and CFD module investigation.

E and H regimes of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of diamond-like carbon film in low frequency inductively coupled plasma reactor

This paper reports on the efficient deposition of hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) film in a plasma reactor that features both the capacitively and inductively coupled operation regimes. The hydrogenated DLC films have been prepared on silicon wafers using a low-frequency (500 kHz) inductively coupled plasma (ICP) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. At low RF powers, the system operates as an asymmetric capacitively coupled plasma source, and the film deposition process is undertaken in the electrostatic (E) discharge regime. Above the mode transition threshold, the high-density inductively coupled plasma is produced in the electromagnetic (H) discharge regime. It has been shown that the deposition rate and hardness of the DLC film are much higher in the H-mode deposition regime. For a 2.66-Pa H-mode CH4 + Ar gas mixture discharge, the deposited DLC film exhibits a mechanical hardness of 18 GPa, Young's modulus of 170 GPa, and compressive stress of 1.3 GPa.

Steady state optimization of an ammonia reactor

A hybrid simulation technique for identification and steady state optimization of a tubular reactor used in ammonia synthesis is presented. The parameter identification program finds the catalyst activity factor and certain heat transfer coefficients that minimize the sum of squares of deviation from simulated and actual temperature measurements obtained from an operating plant. The optimization program finds the values of three flows to the reactor to maximize the ammonia yield using the estimated parameter values. Powell's direct method of optimization is used in both cases. The results obtained here are compared with the plant data.

State space formulation of ammonia reactor dynamics

The specific objective of this paper is to develop a state space model of a tubular ammonia reactor which is the heart of an ammonia plant in a fertiliser complex. A ninth order model with three control inputs and two disturbance inputs is generated from the nonlinear distributed model using linearization and lumping approximations. The lumped model is chosen such that the steady state temperature at the exit of the catalyst bed computed from the simplified state space model is close enough to the one computed from the nonlinear steady state model. The model developed in this paper is very useful for the design of continuous/discrete versions of single variable/multivariable control algorithms.

Evaluation of residence time on nitrogen oxides removal in non-thermal plasma reactor

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been introduced over the last few years as a promising after- treatment system for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter removal from diesel exhaust. NTP technology has not been commercialised as yet, due to its high rate of energy consumption. Therefore, it is important to seek out new methods to improve NTP performance. Residence time is a crucial parameter in engine exhaust emissions treatment. In this paper, different electrode shapes are analysed and the corresponding residence time and NOx removal efficiency are studied. An axisymmetric laminar model is used for obtaining residence time distribution numerically using FLUENT software. If the mean residence time in a NTP plasma reactor increases, there will be a corresponding increase in the reaction time and consequently the pollutant removal efficiency increases. Three different screw thread electrodes and a rod electrode are examined. The results show the advantage of screw thread electrodes in comparison with the rod electrode. Furthermore, between the screw thread electrodes, the electrode with the thread width of 1 mm has the highest NOx removal due to higher residence time and a greater number of micro-discharges. The results show that the residence time of the screw thread electrode with a thread width of 1 mm is 21% more than for the rod electrode.

Hierarchical Control of an Ammonia Reactor

An approach is presented for hierarchical control of an ammonia reactor, which is a key unit process in a nitrogen fertilizer complex. The aim of the control system is to ensure safe operation of the reactor around the optimal operating point in the face of process variable disturbances and parameter variations. The four different layers perform the functions of regulation, optimization, adaptation, and self-organization. The simulation for this proposed application is conducted on an AD511 hybrid computer in which the AD5 analog processor is used to represent the process and the PDP-11/ 35 digital computer is used for the implementation of control laws. Simulation results relating to the different layers have been presented.

Kinetics of Extraction of Iron(II1) by Bis(2-ethylhexyl Phosphate in a Laminar Liquid-Liquid Jet Reactor

The kinetics of iron(II1) extraction by bis(Zethylhexy1) phosphate (HDEHP, HA) in kerosene from sulfuric acid solutions has been studied in a liquid-liquid laminar jet reactor. The contact time of the interface in this reacting device is of the same order of magnitude as the surface renewal time in dispersion mixing and much less than that obtained in the relatively quiescent condition of the Lewis cell. Yet the analysis of the data in this study suggested a rate-controlling step involving surface saturation quite in conformity with that obtained in the Lewis cell and not with that in dispersion mixing as reported in the literature. Further, the mechanism suggested a weaker dependence of the rate on hydrogen ion concentration which was reported by other workers.

Analysis of a Filter Bag Reactor for gaseous pollution abatement

The conveying zone and the filter bag zone of a Filter Bag Reactor have been analysed as individual reactors. The gas and solid particles flow almost in plug flow through the pneumatic conveying section. In the filter bag the height of the packed column varies with time, a cell model has been used to calculate the concentration of outgoing stream. The total conversion obtained is the sum of conversions in each section of the reactor.

Design of Multiloop Controllers for an Ammonia Reactor

The specific objective of this paper is to develop multiloop controllers that would achieve asymptotic regulation in the presence of parameter variations and disturbance inputs for a tubular reactor used in ammonia synthesis. The dynamic model considered here has nine state variables, two control inputs, and two outputs. A systematic procedure for pairing the two inputs with the corresponding two outputs is presented. The two multiloop proportional controllers so configured are designed via the parameter plane method. This economic configuration of controllers maintains the temperature profile almost at the optimal value whereas the point controllers fail to do so.

Modified design procedure for a sparger reactor sequence

In an earlier communication[l] we have indicated a general graphical design procedure for a sequence of sparger reactors in which a second order liquid phase reaction proceeds in a stagewise fashion. The prediction of the reactant concentration in each stage and hence the conversion depended on a search procedure initiated along a straight line representing the mass balance equation at the given stage and drawn from the known feed stage located on the abscissa in a E-IU diagram for the given system.