Novel multi-tubular fixed-bed reactors’ shell structural analysis based on numerical simulation method

In the present contribution, a numerical study of fluid flow and heat transfer performance in a pilot-scale multi-tubular fixed-bed reactor with a novel configuration for propylene-to-acrolein oxidation reaction is presented using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics method (CFD) to ensure the uniformity condition using molten salt as a heat carrier medium on shell side. The effects of multiscale structural parameters including the number of baffles, baffles cut, central nontube region and the number of flow channels on pressure drop and heat transfer are considered. The simulations suggest that heat transfer coefficient per pressure drop is reduced with increasing number of baffles. By the single factor sensitivity analysis it was shown that the central region is the key factor in the structural design of a multi-tubular fixed-bed reactor.