Numerical simulation of the hydrodynamics in a novel jet loop bubble column with helical sieve tapes

Hydrodynamics and mixing in a novel down-flow jet loop reactor (DFJLR) with an internal helical sieve tape (HST) were studied by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A helical sieve tape inside the draft tube caused a significant portion of the gas bubbles to flow helically, which increased radial mixing, overall gas holdup, axial liquid velocity, and turbulent kinetic energy. Compared with a similar reactor without a helical sieve tape, the gas holdup in reactors with a helical tape or a helical sieve tape inside the draft tube was increased, respectively, by 50 % and 75 %. A helical sieve tape with an area ratio of 27 % and helical pitch length of 492 mm was efficient in increasing gas holdup while keeping a lower pressure drop. Data and designs presented in this work will give insight and further understanding for reactor scale-up as a function of geometry and flow patterns for industrial applications.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.