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Computational fluid dynamics‐based optimization of dimpled steam cracking reactors for reduced CO 2 emissions
Author(s) -
Dedeyne Jens N.,
Geerts Moreno,
Reyniers Pieter A.,
Wéry Florian,
Van Geem Kevin M.,
Marin Guy B.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.16255
Subject(s) - dimple , materials science , pressure drop , drop (telecommunication) , mechanics , propane , curvature , cracking , composite material , thermodynamics , mechanical engineering , geometry , physics , mathematics , engineering
Spherical dimples in cylindrical tubes enhance heat transfer and lead to a more uniform radial temperature profile. To combine these positive properties with a low pressure drop, a single dimple was optimized through a genetic algorithm. Multiple design parameters such as width, height, and curvature of the dimple were investigated. Heart‐shaped dimples outperformed spherical dimples. Three‐dimensional reactive simulations of a Millisecond propane steam cracking reactor showed that both the spherically dimpled and the heart‐shaped dimpled coil positively affect the light olefin selectivity, mainly through an increase in propylene selectivity. The optimized dimples could reduce the high pressure drop penalty by 21%. Run length simulations proved that the optimized dimple shape results in an additional run length extension of 18%. Next to this, the fuel rate consumption can be decreased by 6% compared to a bare coil, which could theoretically result in 4% less CO 2 emissions.