Dynamic simulation of the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in slurry bubble column reactors

This work deals with the dynamic simulation of a commercial size slurry bubble column reactor (diameter 7 m and dispersion height 30 m) for catalytic conversion of syngas (CO.H2) to liquid hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis).The reactor was assumed to operate in the heterogeneous or churn-turbulent flow regime and the complex hydrodynamics of the slurry bubble column was described by means of the model. Suspension of liquid and solids is assumed to form a pseudo slurry phase.Back-mixing in all phases, is accounted for using the axial dispersion model (ADM). The reaction kinetics was chosen from the literature and referred to an iron based catalyst. A change in gas flow rate caused by the chemical reaction is considered. Energy balance of the slurry phase is also included in the model. With present transient simulation we can see the effect of catalyst deactivation on CO conversion. Thus present model may estimates the main characteristics of the reactor dynamic behavior successfully.

Keywords:

Slurry bubble column , Fischer-Tropsch , Axial dispersion model , Dynamic simulation