Finite Element Simulation of an Unimolecular Thermal Decomposition inside a Reactor

This numerical study investigates the steady state unimolecular thermal decomposition of a chemical dissolved in water inside a parallel-plate reactor containing four heated circular rods using a penalty Galerkin finite element approach. The reactant fluid enters from the left inlet and exits from the right outlet of the reactor. All solid walls of the reactor are assumed to be thermodynamically isolated. The aim of the investigation is to illustrate the effects of the energy expelled during the reaction, temperature of the heated rods and fluid inlet velocity on the thermal field and concentration of the heat sensitive chemical. The simulation is conducted for different values of inlet velocity and rods temperature taking into consideration and neglecting the reaction energy. From the results, it is concluded that the thermal field and decomposition process of the chemical are significantly influenced by fluid velocity, rods temperature and the reaction type.