Oxidative conversion of ethanol to syngas in a moving bed reactor. Effect of gas-dynamic factors

An experimental study of oxidative conversion of ethanol to syngas in a filtration combustion moving bed reactor was conducted. The dependence of the composition of gaseous products on the flow rate of gaseous oxidizer at a constant excess air coefficient was investigated. The nonuniformity of the gas composition over the reactor cross-section was detected. A richer mixture flows in the central part of the reactor — the excess air coefficient values were 20–30% lower than the average value, and a leaner mixture flows in the near-wall region (15–20% higher than the average value). Numerical modeling of the part of the reactor where ethanol oxidation occurs qualitatively confirmed the presence of nonuniformity reactant concentration field and gas flow rates.