Abstract
ABSTRACT
A mathematical model is developed for deep-well oxidation of waste waters. The model includes description of the two-phase flow which makes it suitable for the study of the subcritical operation of the deep-well process. It also accounts for the variation of thermodynamic and transport properties with temperature and pressure. The model is used to examine the steady-state behavior of the subcritical deep-well oxidation reactors. The effects of the inlet flow rate, feed concentration of organics, excess of oxygen injected in the reaction mixture, inlet pressure, reactor length, scale thickness, and heat losses from the reactor on the exit conversion and bottom temperature are examined. The simulations show that under practical conditions the reactor exhibits multiple steady-states and very high destruction efficiencies are obtained if the reactor is operated on the ignited steady-state. It is also found that the maximum flow rate is limited by the oxidation kinetics and very low or even no pressurizing of the inlet stream is required for steady-state operation. There exists an optimal excess of oxygen injected to the reaction mixture. The mathematical model as well as software developed provide a very useful tool for a preliminary design of the deep-well reactor process.
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