Research on process modeling and simulation of spent lead paste desulfurization enhanced reactor

In the reaction process of carbonate desulfurization lead paste, the produced PbCO3 is easily wrapped in the outer periphery of PbSO4 to form a product layer, hindering the mass transfer process. Therefore, it is necessary to break the PbCO3 product layer. In this work, the rotor stator-reinforced reactor was selected as the enhanced desulfurization reactor for the purpose of breaking the PbCO3 product layer and promoting mass transfer. The breakage process of the PbCO3 product layer generated during the PbSO4 desulfurization was modeled. Computational fluid dynamics simulation to the rotation conditions was carried out to theoretically analyze the fluid flow characteristics of PbSO4 slurry and the wall shear stress affecting the breakage of PbCO3 product layer. By optimizing the rotation conditions, the distribution ratio of effective rotor wall shear stress range achieved 96.1%, and the stator wall shear stress range reached 99.15% under a rotation of 2000 r.min(-1). The research work provides a reference for analysis of the mechanism of product layer breakage in the PbSO4 desulfurization process, and gives a clear and intuitive systematic study on the fluid flow characteristics and wall shear stress of the desulfurization reactor. (c) 2023 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, the breakage process of the PbCO3 product layer in the reaction process of carbonate desulfurization lead paste was investigated. Computational fluid dynamics simulation was used to optimize the rotation conditions and enhance the rotor and stator wall shear stress, providing a reference for the design and optimization of desulfurization reactors.