Optimization of a monolith reactor 3-D developed laminar flow model

• Published in: Chemical engineering research & design Vol. 170; pp. 406 - 422
• Main Authors: Al-Duweesh, Farah M., Manousiouthakis, Vasilios I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rugby Elsevier B.V 01.06.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: 3-D; Capital cost; Compression cost; Diameters; Fluid dynamics; Hydraulics; Laminar flow; Monolith; Nuclear reactors; Optimization; Plug flow; Reactor design; Reactor model; Reactors; Three dimensional flow; Three dimensional models; Upper bounds; 3-D; Reactor model; Monolith; Optimization; Compression cost; Capital cost
• ISSN: 0263-8762; 1744-3563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2021.03.002

[Display omitted] •Isothermal, steady-state, fully-developed laminar, first order surface reaction, monolith reactor model is solved.•Conversion increases with velocity, for fixed reactor cross-section, residence time.•Global optimal found at full conversion subject to cost/geometric constraints.•Provides optimal rectangular shape at maximum channel width, minimum hydraulic diameter. In this work, the optimization of a monolith reactor 3-dimensional model is carried out, for a first order reaction, isothermal conditions and fully developed laminar flow. The obtained results are consistent with the optimal reactor design obtained under plug flow conditions, namely a maximum conversion reactor features maximum channel width, minimum hydraulic diameter, and maximum fluid velocity determined by an upper bound that is a function of the channel’s width, height, and the capital cost to compression cost ratio.