Numerical simulation: preparation of La2O3 in a jet pyrolysis reactor

Based on the technique for preparing LaCl3 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 CH4 and O2 inside the reactor are combusted completely, and when the material inlet pressure is <90 Pa, the LaCl3 is fully pyrogenated. The contents of CO2, La2O3, and HCl fluctuate near the Venturi tube and finally stabilize. La2O3 content at the outlet is in a top-to-bottom gradient.