Intensification of micromixing efficiency in a ceramic membrane reactor with turbulence promoter

Micromixing efficiency in a ceramic membrane reactor (CMR) by using turbulence promoters was studied with iodide–iodate test reaction. The existing incorporation model did not take into account concentration gradient. To elucidate the micromixing efficiency, a new incorporation model coupled with a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in series model was established to determine the ratio of micromixing time (tm) to segregation index (XS). The ratio of tm to XS can be affected significantly by low flux ratio. Based on the ratio, the experimental results indicated that membrane pore diameter has significant influence on micromixing efficiency at high superficial Reynolds number (ReS) under the same transmembrane pressure drop. However, the micromixing efficiency changed slightly at low ReS. In addition, increasing permeation flow rates and bulk flow rates or decreasing membrane pore sizes could enhance micromixing efficiency. The introduction of turbulence promoters can further intensify the micromixing efficiency of the reactor. The micromixing efficiency of CMR with turbulence promoters was observed in a sequence of entry tube < cylindrical insert < helical insert < Kenics™ static mixer insert. The order of the energy consumption was similar to the order of micromixing efficiency. The micromixing time of the reactor was in the range from 0.7 to 300 ms. Based on its performance, CMR might be used as a promising reactor for the fast reaction systems.