Water and n-heptane volume fractions in a rotor-stator spinning disc reactor

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Frans Visscher - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)
  • André Bieberle - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Markus Schubert - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • John Van Der Schaaf - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)
  • Mart H.J.M. De Croon - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)
  • Uwe Hampel - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Jaap C. Schouten - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

This paper presents the volume fractions of n-heptane and water measured in a rotor-stator spinning disc reactor. The volume fractions were measured using γ-ray tomography and photographic image analysis. The volume fractions were determined as a function of rotational disc speed, flow ratio, position in the reactor, and rotor material. In addition, the effect of the density difference between water and n-heptane was determined by dissolving potassium iodide in the water phase. Below a rotational disc speed of 75 rpm the volume fraction measured by tomography and photographic image analysis are within 10% deviation. For low rotational disc speeds, the n-heptane volume fraction decreases slightly with increasing rotational disc speed: the centrifugal force accelerates the larger n-heptane droplets to the center. At higher rotational disc speeds the droplets become smaller accordingly, the friction between the phases determines the flow, and the n-heptane volume fraction becomes equal to the n-heptane to total flow ratio. An increase in density difference from 0.31 to 0.79 kg dm-3 did not influence the volume fractions.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16670-16676
Number of pages7
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume51
Issue number51
Publication statusPublished - 26 Dec 2012
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes