Numerical simulation: preparation of La2O3 in a jet pyrolysis reactor

Abstract

Based on the technique for preparing LaCl 3 via direct pyrolysis of rare earth chloride solution, a jet pyrolysis reactor was designed and the intra-reactor temperature and chemical reactions were numerically simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. The results show that the flow rate variation at the fuel inlet does not largely affect the temperature in the reactor, while the increase in external pressure at the material inlet rapidly decreases the average temperature, Venturi temperature, and outlet temperature. The CH 4 and O 2 inside the reactor are combusted completely, and when the material inlet pressure is \90 Pa, the LaCl 3 is fully pyrogenated. The contents of CO 2 , La 2 O 3 , and HCl fluctuate near the Venturi tube and finally stabilize. La 2 O 3 content at the outlet is in a top-to-bottom gradient.