Tubular electrocatalytic membrane reactor for alcohol oxidation: CFD simulation and experiment

A functional electrocatalytic membrane reactor (ECMR) was performed for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol (TFP) into high value-added sodium 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropionate (STFP). A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique was applied to simulate the hydrodynamic distributions along a tubular ECMR so as to provide guidance for the design and optimization of ECMR. Two-dimensional simulation with porous media model was employed to predict the properties of fluid dynamics in ECMR. The experimental investigation was carried to confirm the CFD simulation. Results showed that a uniform distribution of permeate velocity along the tubular reactor with short length and large diameter could be obtained. TFP conversion of 97.7%, the selectivity to STFP of 99.9% and current efficiency of 40.1% were achieved from the ECMR with a length of 40 mm and an inside diameter of 53 mm. The simulations were in good agreement with the experimental results.

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