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Research Papers

Study of a Quench Device for the Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Zn Nanoparticles: Modeling and Experiments

[+] Author and Article Information
Tareq Abu Hamed, Luke Venstrom, Aiman Alshare, Marc Brülhart, Jane H. Davidson

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455

J. Sol. Energy Eng 131(3), 031018 (Jul 15, 2009) (9 pages) doi:10.1115/1.3142825 History: Received January 07, 2009; Revised April 06, 2009; Published July 15, 2009

Abstract

The synthesis and hydrolysis of zinc nanoparticles are carried out in a tubular reactor. A key component of the reactor is a coaxial jet quench device. Three coaxial and multi-inlet confined jets mix $Zn(g)$, steam, and argon to produce and hydrolyze zinc nanoparticles. The performance of the quench device is assessed with computational fluid dynamics modeling and measurements of hydrogen conversion and particle size and composition. Numerical data elucidate the impact of varying jet flow rates on temperature and velocity distributions within the reactor. Experiments produce hydrogen conversions of 61–79%. Particle deposition on sections of the reactor surface above 650 K favors hydrolysis. Residence time for in-flight particles is less than 1 s and these particles are partially hydrolyzed.

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Figures

Figure 6

(a) Predicted and measured, (b) centerline gas, and (c) wall temperatures

Figure 7

Composition of particles

Figure 8

SEM images of products collected from the filter ((a) and (b)) and from the reactor wall at x=30.5 cm ((c) and (d))

Figure 9

Hydrogen production rate (mmol/min)

Figure 1

Experimental apparatus

Figure 2

Quench ring geometry (dimensions are mm)

Figure 3

Velocity isocontours: (a) case 1, (b) case 2, and (c) case 3

Figure 4

Velocity profiles at (a) x=29 cm, (b) 30 cm, (c) 32 cm, and (d) 48 cm

Figure 5

Temperature isocontours: (a) case 1, (b) case 2, and (c) case 3

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