Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Simulation in a Fixed Bed GTL Reactor Using CFD Technique

In this study, the conversion of standard synthesis gas to linear hydrocarbons is investigated in a single tube Fischer-Tropsch reactor using computational fluid dynamics. For this, a precise two-dimensional pseudo-homogeneous model includes momentum, mass, and energy conservation equations along with species and reaction kinetics relations was developed and numerically solved by computational codes. The shell and tube reactor was filled with spherical cobalt-based catalysts. The operating condition was as follows: coolant temperature: 555 K, pressure: 17 bar and inlet synthesis gas molar flow rate: 0.0355gmole/s. The values of carbon monoxide and hydrogen conversions, hydrocarbon productions, pressure drop and fluid temperature on the reactor axis was analyzed. The simulation results were validated by comparison with experimental data. The implemented mathematical model predicted the conversion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen equal to 46% and 49%, respectively that was overpredicted in comparison with experimental ones. In the case of reaction products, maximum error was occurred in the propane production rate, 14%, which indicates a good agreement between mathematical results and experimental data.