CFD simulation of transient stage of continuous countercurrent hydrolysis of canola oil

Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling of a continuous countercurrent hydrolysis process was performed using ANSYS-CFX. The liquid properties and flow behavior such as density, specific heats, dynamic viscosity, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansivity as well as water solubility of the hydrolysis components triglyceride, diglyceride, monoglyceride, free fatty acid, and glycerol were calculated. Chemical kinetics for the hydrolysis reactions were simulated in this model by applying Arrhenius parameters. The simulation was based on actual experimental reaction conditions including temperature and water-to-oil ratio. The results not only have good agreement with experimental data but also show instantaneous distributions of concentrations of every component in hydrolysis reaction. This model provided visible insight into the continuous countercurrent hydrolysis process.

► Developed CFD model for transient stage of continuous countercurrent hydrolysis.
► Estimated thermophysical and thermochemical properties from published correlations.
► Coupled the model with 4 reversible kinetic rate equations and 6 species.
► Conducted experiments at 250 °C and 2:1 water-to-oil ratio in a lab-scale reactor.
► Evaluated the model and it agreed well with the experimental results.