Microwave heating in heterogeneous catalysis

Modelling and design of rectangular traveling-wave microwave reactor

Journal article (2021)

Authors

P. Yan Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , Tianjin University
A.I. Stankiewicz Complex Fluid Processing - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
F. Eghbal Sarabi Complex Fluid Processing - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
H. Nigar Complex Fluid Processing - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Complex Fluid Processing (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 P. Yan, A.I. Stankiewicz, F. Eghbal Sarabi, H. Nigar
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2020.116383
Process intensification Microwave reactor Microwave heating Design and optimization Microwave-assisted heterogeneous catalysis Multiphysics modeling
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Process and Energy

Research Group

Complex Fluid Processing

Abstract

Microwave irradiation can intensify catalytic chemistry by selective and controlled microwave-catalytic packed-bed interaction. However, turning it to reality from laboratory to practical applications is hindered by challenges in the reactor design and scale-up. Here, we present a novel, rectangular traveling-wave microwave reactor (RTMR) and provide an easy-to-handle, 3-step design procedure of such reactor. The multiphysics model couples the electromagnetic field, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics in order to optimize the geometrical parameters and operational conditions for the microwave-assisted heterogeneous catalysis. The results show that the microwave energy input/output ports should be well-positioned and matched; otherwise, it would significantly decrease energy efficiency. In terms of microwave transmission, the RTMR presents a mix between the standing wave and the traveling-wave systems. Gas space velocity and input temperature significantly affect the temperature profile, and gas–solid temperature can present no significant difference under certain gas–solid contact.