Fluid Flow Characteristics of String Reactors Packed with Spherical Particles

A hydrodynamic investigation of three geometries of string pellet reactors filled with spheres was conducted. Two geometries were circular spiral channels, while the third was a straight horizontal square channel. Stimulus‐response experiments provided data for residence time distribution analysis from which Pe numbers and liquid holdup were deduced. Flow regimes and transitions were determined from visual observations through the transparent tube wall. For the whole range of the experimental conditions applied in this work and for all reactors, the ratio of gas to liquid velocities, V g / V l , is a controlling parameter for Pe number, holdup, and pressure drop.