Pseudo 3-D Simulation of a Falling Film Microreactor

M. Al-Rawashdeh[1,2], V. Hessel[1,2], P. Löb[1], and F. Schönfeld[1]
[1]Institut für Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH, Mainz, Germany
[2]Department of Chemical Engineering and
Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
Published in 2008

Gas-liquid falling film microreactors carry out fast exothermic and mass transfer limited reactions. Since the major rate limiting steps occur on the liquid side, it is important to account for a realistic liquid film profile within the reactor simulation.

Based on realistic channel geometry and liquid menisci profiles, we describe the liquid film thicknesses, flow velocities, species transport and reactions. The reactor model was developed and validated experimentally.