Analysis of voidage in packed reactors

Slice STL files and analyse void distribution in the reactors

The script analyses the void fraction distribution inside chemical reactors to estimate channeling.

Typically, reactors filled with some packing is analysed. Using the script requries 2 steps: (i) computer simulation of the reactor, and (ii) analysing void fraction distribution of the filled reactors with this script.

For the simulation, you may use Blender (open-source 3D modelling software). Simply create the reactor model, suspend an array of particles on top and apply gravity to the array untin the reactor is filled. Once the simulation is complete, export two STL files: one for the reactor itself; the other for both the reactor and the filled particles.

Use this script for analysis of the void distribution slicing the files into horizontal cross-sections. Each cross-sectional slice is divided into the near-wall (with the definition of the near wall defined by the user - use particle radius or diameter), and bulk (remaining) regions. The cross-sections are rasterised with a given resolution and areas occupied with particles in these regions are calculated.