Comparison of CFD results and experimental data in a fixed bed Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor

Hydrogenation of carbon monoxide in a fixed bed Fischer-Tropsch reactor has been simulated using computational fluid dynamics. The geometry of fixed bed reactor was modeled using the discrete packing method. The effects of reaction temperature, feed flow rate and H-2/CO ratio on CO conversion and product selectivity were investigated. The mass fraction of products was also predicted by using the CFD model at different H-2/CO ratios. It was observed that the CO conversion increased with increasing temperature, while decreased with increasing mass flow rate. The selectivity and mass fraction of products also increased with increasing temperature and H-2/CO ratio. (C) 2012 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.