CFD modeling of reactor concepts to avoid carbon deposition in pyrolysis reactions

Abstract

Methane pyrolysis in an externally heated tubular reactor inevitably ends with clogging of the reactor. Thin molten metal wall films protect the walls from carbon depositions. A falling film reactor and a rotating film reactor are investigated by CFD simulation. The results show the considerable advantages of a rotating film reactor compared to the vertical film reactor. An alternative route for carbon production from methane is the implementation of an exothermic chlorination reaction. The tubular reactor concept involves the inflow of inert gas at the reactant inlet and through porous walls to ensure that the reaction takes place in the center, thus, largely reducing carbon deposits.