Numerical simulation of fluid dynamics in rare earth chloride solution in jet-flow pyrolysis reactor

Rare earth oxide was prepared via direct pyrolysis of rare earth chloride solution. Based on this technique, a new-type jet-flow pyrolysis reactor was designed, and then the fluid dynamics (pressure and velocity) inside the reactor was numerically simulated using a computational fluid dynamics method. The self-produced pressure (p) and the fuel inlet velocity (v) satisfied a quadratic function, p=0.06v2+0.23v−4.49. To fully utilize the combustion-generated heat in pyrolysis of rare earth chloride, an appropriate external pressure p=v2+3v−4.27 should be imposed at the feed inlet. The 1.25- and 1.5-fold increase of feed inlet diameter resulted in decline of adsorption dynamic pressure, but the intake of rare earth chloride increased by more than 30% and 60%, respectively. The fluid flow in the reactor was affected by the feeding rate; the fluid flow peaked near the throat of venturi and gradually smoothed down at the jet-flow reactor's terminal along with the sharp decline of feeding rate.