ICDSUPL2-T008

Volume: 2, 2023
2^nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT

Abstract number: T008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T008

Published online: 19 April 2023

ICDSUPL, 2, T008 (2023)

The use of CFD in the design of the SCR-deNOx reactor for the nitric acid plant

Paweł Capała¹*, Zbigniew Czyż¹, Anna Rudawska¹

¹ Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, The Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38D, 20-618 Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: pawel.capala1@pollub.edu.pl}

Abstract

NOx is one of the gaseous pollutants emitted from industrial plants. They have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia is considered one of the most important technologies for reducing NOx emissions from nitric acid plants. However, the design and development of SCR-deNOx systems is a complex process involving the optimization of the reactor in which the catalyst basket is installed. A three-dimensional CFD (Computation Fluid Dynamics) model is used to solve the uneven flow distribution in the SCR reactor. The gas purifying efficiency is influenced by parameters such as the linear flow velocity and the pressure drop across the catalyst bed. In this study, CFD simulations were carried out to illustrate the performance of an SCR-deNOx reactor in a nitric acid plant. Different catalytic basket designs were analyzed to check the linear flow velocity and the pressure drop across the catalytic bed. CFD simulation calculations were made using Ansys software for different gas flow geometries inside the SCR reactor. The results show that the gas stream flow radially inside the SCR reactor leads to lower linear flow velocity and significantly reduces pressure drop through the catalyst bed compared to axial flow. This translates into a significant improvement in deNOx catalyst performance. The lower linear flow velocity translates into better performance of the SCR-deNOx catalyst, as indicated by the results of the industrial catalyst testing in catalytic baskets of different designs under the operating conditions of the nitric acid plant.

How to cite

P. Capała, Z. Czyż, A. Rudawska, 2023. The use of CFD in the design of the SCR-deNOx reactor for the nitric acid plant. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T008