Members

IMMC

Juray De Wilde
Professor
Contact
Recent publications

Works in the field of reaction engineering and chemical reactor analysis and design. His research expertise includes kinetic modeling, the use of dynamic methods, the multi-scale modeling and simulation of complex single- and multiphase flows with reactions, and process intensification.
His research focuses on novel reactor concepts allowing process intensification and alternative processing routes. Detailed numerical and experimental studies in specially designed lab-scale equipment and pilot plants are combined to develop and validate models and simulation tools that facilitate reactor optimization and scale-up. Technologies and applications studied include steam methane reforming using structured catalytic reactors, chemical looping combustion and reforming, advanced surface coating using a low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition reactor, and production, coating, agglomeration and drying of particles in high-G operated vortex chambers.

IMMC main research direction(s):
Energy
Fluid mechanics
Chemical engineering

Keywords:
reacting flows
reaction engineering
process intensification
two-phase flows

Research group(s): IMAP

PhD and Post-doc researchers under my supervision:

Baptiste Hardy

Gas-solid flows are encountered in many natural and industrial phenomena. Fluidized beds are the most well known application of gas-solid reactors in the chemical industry (catalytic cracking, biomass conversion,...).
However, the simulation of such equipments at large scale is still an issue due to the tracking of billions of particles carrying the reaction while interacting with the gas flow. Eulerian-Eulerian models are currently very popular because they describe the solid phase as a continuum, hence drastically lowering the computational cost. Though, these models require closure relations for momentum, heat and mass transfer, often obtained on empirical bases.
The goal of this research is to extract closure laws from Direct Numerical Simulations at particle scale using the Immersed Boundary Method in order to provide new mesoscale models built on physical grounds.

Multi-scale modeling of a structured catalytic reactor for steam methane reforming
Florent Minette

Methane reforming is the most widely practiced process for the production of hydrogen and syngas. The process is however strongly limited by heat transfer between the furnace and the process gas, pressure drop and intra-particle diffusion limitations. Structured catalytic reactors are promising in order to intensify the process and deal with the limitations encountered in conventional reformers.
The multi-scale modeling of ZoneFlow structured catalytic reactors is addressed. The intrinsic reaction kinetics is experimentally studied in a micro-packed bed reactor. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson-type rate equations are derived and non-linear regression is applied to estimate the rate parameters. A pseudo-continuum approach description of the catalyst coating is used to account for intra-catalyst diffusion limitations. The complex flow pattern is described by means of a CFD model. To bridge the scales of turbulence, the RANS approach is adopted and the k-epsilon turbulence model is applied. Thermal conduction and radiative heat transfer are included. The reactor model is validated using specific experiments including cold flow pressure drop, inert heat transfer and pilot plant tests under reactive conditions.
The developed model is then used to study and optimize the performance of ZoneFlow reactors under commercial operating conditions.

Recent publications

See complete list of publications

Journal Articles

1. Minette, Florent; de Almeida, Luis Calamote; Feinstein, Jonathan; De Wilde, Juray. Structured ZoneFlowTM-Bayonet Steam Reforming Reactor for Reduced Firing and Steam Export: Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer Modelling and Evaluation of the Reactor Performance. In: Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, Vol. 10, p. 100258 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.ceja.2022.100258. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/258134

2. Madanikashani, Sepehr; Vandewalle, Laurien A.; De Meester, Steven; De Wilde, Juray; Van Geem, Kevin M. Multi-Scale Modeling of Plastic Waste Gasification: Opportunities and Challenges. In: Materials, Vol. 15, p. 4215 (2022). doi:10.3390/ma15124215. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/261805

3. Hardy, Baptiste; Simonin, Olivier; De Wilde, Juray; Winckelmans, Grégoire. Simulation of the flow past random arrays of spherical particles: Microstructure-based tensor quantities as a tool to predict fluid-particle forces. In: International Journal of Multiphase Flow, Vol. 149, p. 103970 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2021.103970. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/257125

4. Ügdüler, Sibel; De Somer, Tobias; Van Geem, Kevin M.; De Wilde, Juray; Roosen, Martijn; Deprez, Bram; De Meester, Steven. Analysis of the kinetics, energy balance and carbon footprint of the delamination of multilayer flexible packaging films via carboxylic acids. In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 181, p. 106256 (2022). doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106256. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/259272

5. Jamil Ur Rahman, Umair; Krzysztof Pozarlik, Artur; Tourneur, Thomas; de Broqueville, Axel; De Wilde, Juray; Brem, Gerrit. Numerical Study toward Optimization of Spray Drying in a Novel Radial Multizone Dryer. In: Energies, Vol. 14, no.5, p. 1233 (2021). doi:10.3390/en14051233. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/243699

6. De Wilde, Juray. NWGD Jaarsymposium. In: Bulk Solid Processing and Handling, Vol. 1 (2021). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/243814

7. De Wilde, Juray; Dutta, Subhajit; Pati, Jnyana Ranjan; De Broqueville, Axel. Experimental study of the temperature distribution and water evaporation in an axial dual-zone vortex chamber spray dryer. In: Drying Technology : an international journal, Vol. online (2021). doi:10.1080/07373937.2021.1966635. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/250297

8. Minette, Florent; de Almeida, Luis Calamote; Ratan, Sanjiv; De Wilde, Juray. Pressure drop and heat transfer of ZoneFlowTM structured catalytic reactors and reference pellets for Steam Methane Reforming. In: Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 417, p. 128080 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2020.128080. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/241785

9. Minette, Florent; De Wilde, Juray. Multi-scale modeling and simulation of low-pressure methane bi-reforming using structured catalytic reactors. In: Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 407, p. 127218 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2020.127218. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/240384

10. He, Zirui; De Wilde, Juray. Numerical simulation of commercial scale autothermal chemical looping reforming and bi-reforming for syngas production. In: Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 417, p. 128088 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.cej.2020.128088. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/246214

Patents

1. De Broqueville, Axel; De Wilde, Juray; Tourneur, Thomas. Device for treating particles in a rotating fluidized bed. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/207531 http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/207531

Conference Papers

1. Minette, Florent; De Wilde, Juray. Measurements and Modeling of Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer in ZoneFlowTM Structured Catalytic Reactors for Steam Methane Reforming. In: Proceedings of Annual 2019 AIChE Meeting, 2019 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/241933

2. Hardy, Baptiste; De Wilde, Juray; Winckelmans, Grégoire. A penalization method for DNS of weakly compressible reacting gas- solid flows. 2019 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/224126

3. Minette, Florent; Luis Calamote de Almeida; De Wilde, Juray. Multi-Scale Modeling of a ZoneFlowTM Structured Catalytic Reactor for Steam Methane Reforming. 2019 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/241930

4. He, Zirui; De Wilde, Juray; Minette, Florent. Modelling of Autothermal Chemical Looping Reforming for Syngas Production. 2019 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/241948

5. Hardy, Baptiste; Winckelmans, Grégoire; De Wilde, Juray. A penalization method for the Direct Numerical Simulation of low-Mach reacting gas-solid flows. 2018 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/204908

6. He, Zirui; Minette, Florent; De Wilde, Juray. Numerical simulation of industrial scale autothermal Chemical Looping Methane Reforming for syngas production in a dual fluidised bed reactor. 2018 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/204838

7. De Wilde, Juray; Minette, Florent; Ratan, Sanjiv. Zoneflow Structured Catalytic Reactors for Steam Methane Reforming: Experimental Studies of the Reaction Kinetics and Fluid Dynamics and Multi-Scale Modelling. 2018 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/241943

8. Minette, Florent; De Wilde, Juray. Multi-scale modeling of an annular structured catalytic reactor for steam methane reforming. 2018 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/214203

9. Minette, Florent; De Wilde, Juray. Multi-scale modeling of an annular structured catalytic reactor: application to steam methane reforming. 2018 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/214201

10. Minette, Florent; De Wilde, Juray; Marco Castaldi; Michael Lugo. Experimental study of the intrinsic kinetics of steam methane reforming on a thin and adherent Ni coating. 2018 xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/214199

Book Chapters

1. Rosales Trujillo, Waldo; De Wilde, Juray. High-Gravity Operation in Vortex Chambers for the Generation of High-Efficiency Fluidized Beds. In: Alternative Energy Sources for Green Chemistry (Green Chemistry Series; xxx), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016, p. 360-404. 978-1-78262-140-9. xxx xxx. doi:10.1039/9781782623632. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/176577

2. De Wilde, Juray. Rotating Fluidized Bed Reactors. In: Novel Reactor Concepts , Van Sint Annaland M, Gallucci F., Metcalfe I.: Imperial Colege Press, UK, 2013. xxx xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/130503

3. De Wilde, Juray. Gas-Solid Heat and Mass Transfer Intensification in Rotating Fluidized Beds in a Static Geometry. In: Heat Transfer. Theoretical analysis, Experimental investigations and Industrial Systems , Intech: Rijeka, Croatia, 2011, p. 593-634. 978-953-307-226-5. xxx xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/69223

Working Papers

1. De Wilde, Juray. The Filtered Description of Gas-Solid Momentum Transfer: from a Drag Type Description to an Apparent Distribution of the Filtered Gas Phase Pressure Gradient over the Phases. 2007. xxx xxx. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/74661

Books

1. Froment, Gilbert F.; Bischoff, Kenneth B.; De Wilde, Juray. Chemical Reactor - Analysis and Design. John Wiley & Sons, 2011. 978-0-470-56541-4. 867 (book); 247 (solution manual); 4 simulation codes pages. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/71788

Reports

1. Benyahia, Sofiane; De Wilde, Juray. Centrifugal Force Improves Chemical Looping Reactor Performance, xxx xxx. 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/165901