Nana, QiKai, ZhangGang, XuYongping, YangHu, Zhonghao2012-11-052012-11-052012Petroleum Science, 2012; 9(3):379-3881672-5107http://hdl.handle.net/2440/73944Flow characteristics, such as flow pattern, gas holdup, and bubble size distribution, in an internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation, are simulated to investigate the influence of reactor internals by using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-population balance equations (PBE) coupled model. Numerical results reveal that introducing a downcomer tube and a draft tube can help to improve the mass and heat transfer of the reactor through enhanced liquid circulation, increased gas holdup and reduced bubble diameter. The hydrodynamic behavior in the internal loop reactor with external liquid circulation can be managed effectively by adjusting the diameter and axial position of the draft tube.en© China University of Petroleum (Beijing) and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012Loop reactor; Structure optimization; hydrodynamics; CFD-PBE coupled modelJournal article002012182210.1007/s12182-012-0222-92-s2.0-84865537026