Catalyst Heating Characteristics in the Traveling-Wave Microwave Reactor

Journal Article (2021)
Author(s)

A. Martinez Gonzalez (Student TU Delft)

Andrzej Stankiewicz (TU Delft - Complex Fluid Processing)

H. Nigar (TU Delft - Complex Fluid Processing)

Research Group
Complex Fluid Processing
Copyright
© 2021 A. Martinez Gonzalez, A.I. Stankiewicz, H. Nigar
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3390/catal11030369
More Info
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Publication Year
2021
Language
English
Copyright
© 2021 A. Martinez Gonzalez, A.I. Stankiewicz, H. Nigar
Research Group
Complex Fluid Processing
Issue number
3
Volume number
11
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Abstract

Traveling-Wave Microwave Reactor (TMR) presents a novel heterogeneous catalytic reactor concept based on a coaxial waveguide structure. In the current paper, both modeling and experimental studies of catalyst heating in the TMR are presented. The developed 3D multiphysics model was validated from the electromagnetic and heat transfer points of view. Extrudes of silicon carbide (SiC) were selected as catalyst supports and microwave absorbing media in a packed-bed configuration. The packed-bed temperature evolution was in good agreement with experimental data, with an average deviation of less than 10%. Both experimental and simulation results show that the homogeneous temperature distribution is possible in the TMR system. It is envisioned that the TMR concept may facilitate process scale-up while providing temperature homogeneity beyond the intrinsic restrictions of microwave cavity systems.