Advanced Computational Model for Three-Phase Slurry Reactors

View the animations above.

The main goal of this project is to develop a scientific understanding of three-phase slurry reactors in coal conversion processes, in particular, synthetic liquid fuel production. One main objective is to develop an advanced computational capability for predicting the transport and processing of three-phase slurry reactors. Special attention will be given to the slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) processing, which provides an important route to convert coal-derived synthesis gas to hydrocarbon fuels. The specific objective is to develop an accurate and reliable computational model using the extended thermodynamically consistent anisotropic theories of multiphase flows. The model will cover the relevant hydrodynamics and chemical reaction effects including the particle collisionals, as well as the full gas/liquid-particle chemical reactions and mechanical interactions. The effects of fluctuation energies of fluid and solid phases and normal stress effects will also be included. Experimental verification of the fundamental hypotheses of the model for the special case of simple shear flows is an important part of the proposed effort.

Funded by US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)