Hydrodynamics and liquid–solid mass transfer in micropacked bed reactors with copper foam packing

Hydrodynamics and liquid–solid mass transfer in micropacked bed reactors (μPBRs) with copper foam packing are investigated. Effects of fluid superficial velocities, liquid viscosity, pore diameter of foam packing on the residence time distribution, liquid holdup, axial dispersion coefficient, and liquid–solid mass transfer coefficient are discussed. The liquid holdup of μPBRs can reach 0.23 ∼ 0.39, which is larger than that of packed bed reactors (0.05). The axial dispersion coefficient of μPBRs is 3.17 × 10^-6 ∼ 2.30 × 10^-5 m²/s, which is similar with that of packed bed reactors. The value of liquid–solid volumetric mass transfer coefficient with effect of axial dispersion coefficient in μPBRs can reach 0.033 ∼ 0.13 s⁻¹, which is higher than that of packed bed reactors (0.006 ∼ 0.09 s⁻¹). The empirical models of liquid holdup, axial dispersion coefficient, and liquid–solid mass transfer coefficient in single liquid phase flow and gas–liquid two phase flow of μPBRs are established and their predictions are in good agreement with experimental values.