(36h) Radioactive Particle Tracking (RPT) based hydrodynamics investigation in slurry phase reactor for residue hydrocracking

Slurry-phase hydrocracking pose a cutting-edge technology for transforming residual crude oil into low-sulfur diesel and gasoline, harnessing the dual objectives of meeting sustainable energy demand and complying with stringent environmental regulations. The efficiency and scalability of slurry phase reactors rely on a robust understanding of their hydrodynamics and reaction kinetics. Despite its industrial significance, detailed experimental data on key hydrodynamic parameters such as gas holdup, liquid velocity, solid dispersion, and turbulence in slurry-phase reactors remains sparse. This knowledge gap hinders precise reactor design and optimization. This study addresses these gaps by investigating local hydrodynamics using a non-invasive technique, radioactive particle tracking (RPT), under cold-flow conditions that replicate the physical properties of residue and hydrogen at hydrocracking reaction conditions. Experiments in a 0.1 m diameter, 1.2 m high bubble column leveraged a water-ethanol mixture to replicate the density and viscosity of residue and hydrogen under hydrocracking conditions of 425 °C and 160 bar. Co-60 radioactive particle technology was utilized to perform a comprehensive analysis of liquid hydrodynamics across both homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes. This approach enabled precise measurements of flow behavior, mixing efficiency, and transition dynamics. The findings from this work highlights the crucial insights into the hydrodynamics of slurry-phase reactors, paving the way for enhanced reactor design and scale-up strategies in industrial hydrocracking applications.