CFD-aided enhancement of propylene oxide decomposition in a tubular reactor with a corrugated cooling jacket

Abstract

_This research delves into the decomposition kinetics of propylene oxide within a novel reactor design characterized by a corrugated inner wall for enhanced cooling. By applying Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), this study aims to optimize the reactor's heat transfer capabilities to achieve precise control over the exothermic decomposition process. This approach addresses a previously unexplored area in CFD application, proposing a model that fine-tunes the decomposition efficiency of propylene oxide by considering the interplay of key parameters such as inlet mixture temperature, activation energy, flow rate, and the resulting thermal profile. The primary goal is to advance the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly chemical processing techniques in the propylene oxide industry. The study highlights the critical relationship between activation energy (74–76 kJ/mol), process temperature (29–37 °C), and cooling efficiency in optimizing the decomposition process. Significant findings indicate that higher inlet temperatures (37 °C) and lower activation energies (74 kJ/mol) lead to superior conversion rates. The study presents a clear correlation between temperature elevation, reduced activation energy, and enhanced conversion rates, demonstrating that optimizing these parameters can lead to significantly improved conversion efficiencies, potentially approaching 100 % under ideal conditions.

Keywords

• Propylene oxide
• Decomposition kinetics
• Reactor design
• CFD
• Activation energy
• Heat transfer