Numerical simulation of Venturi ejector reactor in yellow phosphorus purification system

•Venturi ejector reactor is used in yellow phosphorus purification system to obtain high purity phosphorus.•We study the changes of vacuum region and the performances of Venturi ejector reactor with different operating pressure.•The whole study is aim to investigate the operating conditions, rather than to find out the small details of the chemical reaction.

A novel type of Venturi ejector reactor, which was used in a pilot plant test in a factory in Guizhou in China, was developed to overcome the insufficiency of chemical reaction in the stirred-tank reactor in yellow phosphorus purification system. The effects of different working medium, the changes of vacuum region, and the performances of the Venturi ejector reactor with different operating pressure were investigated by FLUENT. Results show that the absolute value of vacuum pressure of single-phase flow was smaller than two-phase flow at the same operating conditions, which meat two-phase flow has a higher suction capability. Reflow phenomena occurred near the exit of suction pipe and nozzle. The former reflow which leads to energy loss of vacuum region was undesirable, and the latter was beneficial to the dispersion of liquid yellow phosphorus. With a flow rate ratio below 0.45, the performance of the Venturi ejector reactor was effective. By adjusting the operating pressure, a proper flow rate ratio could be satisfied to meet the production needs in yellow phosphorus purification system.