Geometry Optimization for Multi-Inlet Vortex Photoreactor for CO2 Reduction

Process optimization of multiphase chemical and/or photochemical reactor means a challenge not only at laboratory scale but also while scaling-up is intended towards industrial applications. Using computational tools, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics, is essential to assess transport limitations of the heterogeneous process to verify the kinetic regime while the reaction and the reactor engineering are studied. Computational Fluid Dynamics, together with Genetic Algorithms, has been currently applied to verify fluid behavior and turbulence. The latter device has been self-designed and is planned to be constructed for CO2 reduction. The results of the Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations are presented and discussed, in order to optimize reactor operation of a multi-inlet vortex photoreactor. By considering the catalytic particle features, the residence time distribution in the multi-inlet photoreactor has been verified and optimized.