Experimental study of gas-liquid-solid flow characteristics in slurry Taylor flow-based multiphase microreactors

The gas-liquid-solid (G-L-S) three-phase flow characteristics are essentially linked to the design of slurry Taylor flow (STF)-based multiphase microreactors (STFRs), thus directly dictating the reactor operating performance. In this study, we examine the G-L-S flow patterns, solid spatial distribution, liquid-solid slurry stability, slug length (L-S), bubble size (L-B) and rising velocity (V-B) in STFRs and their dependence on operating conditions. Under high Reynolds numbers (Re >= 681), many particles are present in the liquid film and significant bubble surface wave disturbance is observed even when the Capillary number is low (Ca < 0.01). Depending on whether bubble surface distorts (BSD) and/or particles travel between slugs (PTS), four STF patterns are identified and mapped against the flow conditions, with pattern I (with no BSD or PTS) and pattern IV (with both BSD and PTS) occurring at low and high fluids velocities, respectively. The STF patterns are independent of solid loading (when <10% v/v) but show dependency on particle size and flow conditions. Both solid loading and particle size marginally affect V-B, yet have a profound impact on L-B and L-S. Empirical correlations for predicting V-B, L-B and L-S in STFRs are developed. The correlation of V-B proves valid for both slurry and standard Taylor flow systems covering 1.2 <= Re <= 3551 and 0.0002 <= Ca <= 0.39 for a wide range of fluids in both circular and square channels with size of 480 mu m - 3.02 mm.

Automated summary

The study examines the gas-liquid-solid flow patterns and characteristics in slurry Taylor flow-based multiphase microreactors, determining their dependence on operating conditions. The research identified four STF patterns based on bubble surface distortion and particle travel between slugs, with different patterns occurring at varying fluid velocities. Empirical correlations were developed to predict bubble rising velocity, bubble size, and slug length in STFRs, valid across a wide range of fluids and channel sizes.