Modeling of three phase reactors: A case of oxydesulfurization of coal

Mathematical models have been developed for the design of bubble column slurry reactors, wherein the solids take part in the reaction and follow the shrinking core model. The cases of liquid film control, ash diffusion control, and chemical reaction control have been analyzed. Experiments were performed in a 22.2 mm i.d. continuous cocurrent bubble column slurry reactor for the removal of pyritic sulfur by oxidation from aqueous slurries of Upper Freeport, Lower Freeport, Kentucky No. 9, and Pittsburgh seam coals, in the temperature range of 430-480°K at 6.8 MPa total pressure. The theoretical predictions are found to be in good agreement with experimental results.