Comparative Simulation of Axial and Radial Fixed-Bed Reactors for Dimethyl Oxalate Synthesis

The catalytic co-coupling of carbon monoxide and methyl nitrite to synthesize dimethyl oxalate (DMO) is a crucial step in the conversion of syngas to ethylene glycol. Recent advancements in numerical simulation methodologies substantially enhanced the potential for optimizing chemical production processes, thereby improving cost effectiveness and efficiency. Numerical simulation techniques were applied to model a shell-and-tube reactor and a radial reactor. The distributions of pressure, velocity, reaction, and temperature fields were analyzed for both reactor configurations under similar operating conditions. The findings indicate that the radial reactor has different advantages, including a smaller volume, a more uniform temperature distribution, and a lower pressure drop, highlighting its potential benefits in the DMO synthesis process.