Numerical analysis of reaction kinetic accompanying flow and dispersion
in structured ZSM-5@SiC open-cell foam catalyst
Abstract
Chaotic flow inside porous media accelerates the transport, mixing, and
reaction of molecules and particles in widespread natural and factitious
processes. Current macroscopic models based on the average pore-scale
variations show obvious limitations in the prediction of many chemical
processes. In this paper, we reconstruct microscopic foam structures
using Micro Computed Tomography to simulate fluid flow in structured
ZSM-5@SiC foam catalyst. Moreover, we propose a conceptual model based
on the microscopic mean square displacement theory to characterize the
effective dispersion inside an open-cell foam. This model will explain
the flow characteristics of confined fluid inside the porous media from
fluid elements perspective. Particularly, dispersion factor and
structure factor, as key parts of this model, perfectly interpret the
driving characteristics of pressure drop, velocity different, and
reaction in continuous foam media flow. This work also provides a unique
means of predicting reaction kinetics of confined fluid in structured
foam catalyst.