CFD Simulation and Process Intensification of LiH Synthesis Reactor
1. China Nuclear Power Engineering Company Limited, Zhengzhou Branch, Zhengzhou 45000, China;
2. College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Abstract In order to strength the Lithium Hydride (LiH) synthesis reactor, the material transfer, chemical reaction and fluid motion of the crucible reactor were simulated by the method of computing fluid dynamics (CFD) in static operation, mechanical stirring and gas bubbling. Simulation results showed that natural convection had a great effect on the chemical reaction which made LiH out of reaction interface and ensured the efficient contact between the “fresh” metal Lithium (Li) and the hydrogen at the interface. In addition, natural convection also facilitated good mixing of the materials in the reactor. Although the mechanical stirring increased the mixing of the reaction materials, but did not significantly increase the reaction interface, hence the degree of the process strengthening was limited. Gas bubbling can greatly increase the gas-liquid contact area and the reaction time was greatly reduced. Therefore, bubble reactor is a preferred LiH synthesis reactor configuration.
