Numerical simulation and thermal optimization of a catalysis chamber for the MIRAS beamline at ALBA synchrotron

In the context of the development plan for the MIRAS beamline at the ALBA Synchrotron (Infrared Microspectroscopy Beamline), a dedicated experimental chamber has been designed for the study of catalytic reactions using synchrotron-based infrared spectroscopy. This chamber is designed to operate with a reactive gas mixture composed of O₂, H₂, CO, and an inert gas such as Ar, at pressures up to 20 bar, while maintaining sample temperatures between 480 °C and 500 °C. To meet these operational requirements, a study strategy based on numerical simulations has been defined. This work presents all the numerical details considered in the simulations. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses were performed using the ANSYS Workbench suite, incorporating turbulence modeling, vacuum boundary conditions, and combined forced and natural convection. Three design configurations were evaluated, followed by detailed parametric studies, including mesh sensitivity analysis and simulations under extreme thermal conditions. The final configuration meets all specified operational and thermal mechanical constraints, ensuring reliable performance under synchrotron operating conditions.