slibreactoren

Slibreactoren are a class of chemical reactors in which solid particles are suspended in a liquid during the reaction. The term appears in Norwegian and other Nordic languages; in English literature these are usually called slurry reactors or slurry-phase reactors. They enable heterogeneous reactions to proceed under controlled temperature and mixing.

Common configurations include mechanically stirred slurry reactors (STRs) and slurry bubble-column reactors, as well as variants that combine gas, liquid, and solids phases. Effective suspension of solids and adequate heat and mass transfer are essential; agitators, gas flow, and proper rheology control are central design concerns.

Operation typically occurs in continuous or batch modes with variable solids loading. Heat removal is achieved with jackets and external exchangers; product recovery often requires solids–liquid separation by centrifugation, filtration, or hydrocyclones. Instrumentation monitors temperature, pH, solids concentration, and viscosity.

Applications include hydrometallurgy, catalytic slurry processes, polymerization with solid additives, and wastewater treatment where solids participate in chemical reactions or precipitation.

Advantages include high surface contact, tolerance for mixed feed streams, and effective heat management; challenges involve solids settling, abrasion of equipment, clogging, and complex separation of product from solids.

Historically, concepts of slurry processing developed during the early to mid-20th century in mineral processing and catalysis; the English term slurry reactor is common, while slibreactoren is the locale-specific form. See also slurry reactor, slurry bubble-column reactor, high-solids processing.