Numerical study on the structural optimization of a counter current flow contact‐cyclone reactor for fatty acid methyl ester epoxidation

Structural optimization of a countercurrent contact‐cyclonic reactor (CFC‐CR) for fatty acid methyl ester epoxidation was performed based on mixing performance. Three inlet structural parameters, namely offset distance, rotation angle, and contraction angle, were systematically investigated using the Eulerian multiphase model and Reynolds stress model (RSM). The coefficient of variation (CV) was used to characterize mixing performance. Results indicate that the optimal structural parameters were an offset distance of 4 mm, a rotation angle of 5°, and a contraction angle of 9°, under which the most symmetric vortex structures and highest mixing intensity were achieved. Excessive parameter values caused vortex breakdown, asymmetric flow fields, and rapid energy dissipation, resulting in deterioration of mixing performance.