Abstract：An annular swirling flow reactor with a central axis structure was used to prepare inorganic salt particles in a liquid-liquid mixing reaction, aiming to explore its advantages in reactive crystallization. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to analyze the reactor’s flow characteristics, including parameters such as pressure drop, residence time, velocity gradient, turbulent kinetic energy, and shear rate. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was subsequently added to the reaction system to investigate the effect of viscosity on calcium carbonate crystallization. CFD simulations revealed that the swirling flow reactor was characterized by a low-pressure drop (<5 kPa), a short average residence time (<2 s), a stable swirling section with high-velocity gradients, high turbulent kinetic energy, high shear rate, and a high degree of liquid-liquid mixing. The flow pattern resembled plug flow, ensuring nearly uniform growth time for inorganic salt particles and thereby facilitating the preparation of calcium carbonate particles with uniform particle size. After adding CMC, the crystal forms of calcium carbonate were calcite and vaterite. Compared with the stirring equipment, the calcium carbonate particles synthesized by the swirling flow reactor were more uniform in particle size and smoother in surface, with an average particle size of 4-6 μm and a standard deviation of 1.0-1.6 μm, illustrating that the swirling flow reactor has unique advantages in reactive crystallization.
FENG Chaochao,WANG Weiwei,XIAO Wangze et al. Preparation of Inorganic Salt Particles by Reactive Crystallization in an Annular Swirling Flow Reactor[J]. Chemical Reaction Engineering and Technology, 2025, 41(1): 172-182.
