A CFD model for characterising axial mixing in microreactors operating under Taylor flow

The characteristic features of axial mixing in microreactors operating under Taylor flow were investigated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. To analyze the Taylor flow, a bubble and a slug, or a slug and two half bubbles are considered, which are referred to as a unit cell. CFD simulations are used to obtain the exact residence time distribution in a single cell, when a step change in the concentration of the liquid film entering the cell is applied. The results show that the effect on residence time distribution of various governing parameters such as slug length, Reynolds number, Peclet number, and film thickness were evaluated.