Hydrodynamics in Horizontal Internal-Loop Stirred Reactor: I—Characterization of Flow and Mixing

The behavior of flow and mixing was investigated in a horizontal looped reactor shafted with a propeller type of impellers based on the sulphuric acid catalyzed alkylation technology. The visualized flow character was recorded by High Speed Moving Video System, and the effect of inner parts, such as tube bundle and rod baffle on flow was discussed. Furthermore, the mixing time and flow model parameter were determined according to the electrical conductivity response. The results show that liquids or fluids is sheared strongly in the impeller zone followed by the change of flow direction which is induced by hydraulic head and shows plug-flow out the drift tube, and finally the ideal bulk mixing state is gained after several times circulation. The mixing time is shorter in the case with tube buddle installed inside the draft tube in contrast to the case without tube buddle. The local turbulence is reinforced by the rod baffle. The value of 1.11 of power number over flow number indicates that the impeller has excellent circulation efficiency. The correlation between mixing time and power per unit volume was suggested also.