MATERIALS FOR THE ELECTRONIC SITE
OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, BULGARIAN
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, LABORATORY “CHEMICAL REACTORS”
In the “Chemical Reactors” Laboratory at the Institute of Chemical Engineering,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the research investigations are concentrated in two
fields of the chemical engineering leaded by Prof. Asen Ivanov Anastasov, D.Sc. and
Prof. Serafim Dimitrov Vlaev, D.Sc.
The following problems are developed in the research
area “Heterogeneous catalytic and non-catalytic processes and
reactors” leaded by Prof. A. I. Anastasov.
A. MAIN TOPICS OF INVESTIGATIONS
1. Mathematical simulation of heterogeneous catalytic processes “gas-solid
catalysts” carried out in fixed and fluidized bed of the catalyst, as well as noncatalytic processes “gas-liquid”.
Here the processes of o-xylene and naphthalene oxidation to phthalic anhydride,
oxidation of n-butane and benzene to maleic anhydride, oxidation of anthracene to
anthraquinone, oxidation of styrene to styrene oxide and benzaldehyde, etc. are objects of
investigations.
The research activity involves:
a) creation of mathematical models of various catalytic processes carried out in fixed
and fluidized catalyst beds and methods for their solution;
b) investigation of the behaviour and determination of the deactivation of industrial
catalysts during the whole period of their exploitation in industrial reactors;
c) creation of new design apparatuses with fixed catalyst bed;
d) determination of the kinetics of various catalytic processes realized by different
commercial industrial catalysts;
e) organization of new technological schemes of operation of fixed bed catalytic
reactors.
2. Experimental investigations of heterogeneous catalytic processes “gas-solid
catalyst” carried out in fixed catalyst bed.
According to the activities shown in 1. and 2. we determine:
a) the optimal parameters of the technological regimes in industrial fixed beds
composed by different catalysts;
b) the optimal constructive parameters of the corresponding industrial reactors.
B. MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS
In the research direction “Heterogeneous catalytic and non-catalytic processes and
reactors” the following more important results are obtained:
1. An optimal strategy for changing the technological regime of the catalytic
oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride depending on the catalyst age of a
vanadia-titania catalyst O 4-26 during the whole period of its use is determined.
The same is done for a catalyst O 4-28 exploited 36 months under industrial
conditions. The change of the technological regimes is conformed to the
achievement of maximum phthalic anhydride yield, irrespective of the catalyst
age;
2. .A reactor design being new in principle is created. It can be used for carrying out
high exothermic or endothermic catalytic processes “gas-solid catalyst”. The
theoretical investigations of the new reactor show that the temperature regime in it
is practically identical to the theoretical one for every catalytic process. This
enables the engineer to increase sharply the yield of the desired product in
comparison with the conventional fixed bed reactor.
3. New technological schemes with a dual salt bath and a dual catalyst bed are
suggested for the process of o-xylene oxidation to phthalic anhydride. Using them
a maximum yield of desired product and practically no content of the main
contaminant phthalide can be achieved.
4. The kinetic parameters of the o-xylene oxidation carried out by the high
productive catalysts O 4-26 and O 4-28, as well as by a conventional catalyst O 425 calcined under special conditions are determined.
5. The optimal constructive parameters of a fixed bed composed by a high active
catalyst O 4-25 for o-xylene oxidation are specified. It is found out that this
catalyst can substitute successfully the expensive high productive catalysts O 4-26
and O 4-28. Hence, significant savings of funds can be realized.
6. Samples of V2O5-ZrO2 catalysts having various content of V2O5 and being of high
thermal stability are synthesized. They can be successfully used in the process of
o-xylene oxidation.
7. A preliminary project of an industrial installation for oxidation of anthracene to
anthraquinone in a fixed catalyst bed is developed. A design engineering of all
apparatuses in the installation is accomplished. The development can be directly
used to create a detailed design of the installation.
8. The parametric sensitivity of the process of styrene oxidation carried out in an
industrial bubble column is specified.
C. INDUSTRIAL CONTACTS
The scientific direction “Heterogeneous catalytic and non-catalytic processes and
reactors” has close co-operation with the Chemical plants “ORGAHIM” – Rousse,
Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, phthalic anhydride is produced in these plants only. Many
developments realized in the Institute of Chemical Engineering are submitted to the
Management of the ORGAHIM plants and are successfully used the industrial practice.
D. SELECTED PAPERS
1. Anastasov А. I., The behaviour of a low-productive non-pretreated V2O5-TiO2
(anatase) catalyst for oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride, Chemical
Engineering Journal, 109, 57-66 (2005).
2. Anastasov A. I., Deactivation of an industrial V2O5-TiO2 catalyst for oxidation of oxylene into phthalic anhydride, Chemical Engineering and Processing, 42, # 6,
449-460 (2003).
3. Anastasov A. I., An investigation of the kinetic parameters of the o-xylene oxidation
process carried out in a fixed bed of high-productive vanadia-titania catalyst,
Chemical Engineering Science, 58, # 1, 89-98 (2003).
4. Anastasov A. I., A study of the influence of the operating parameters on the
temperature of the hot spot in a fixed bed reactor", Chemical Engineering Journal,
86, 287-297 (2002).
5. Anastasov A. I., V. A. Nikolov, A catalyst deposited over the external surface of the
reactor tubes - a new solution for carrying out heterogeneous catalytic processes,
Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 80, # 1, 79-87 (2002).
6. Anastasov A., V. Nikolov, Optimal policies of operation of a fixed-bed reactor for
oxidation of o-xylene into phthalic anhydride, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
Research, 37, # 8, 3424-3433 (1998).
7. Tasheva B., A. Anastasov, Successive approximations method for the analysis of
gas-liquid reactions in a bubble column, Computers & Chemical Engineering, 17, #
7, 653-661 (1993).
8. Nikolov V., A. Anastasov, Pretreatment of a vanadia-titania catalyst for partial
oxidation of o-xylene under industrial conditions, Industrial & Engineering
Chemistry Research, 31, # 1, 80-88 (1992).
9. Nikolov V. A., A. I. Anastasov, Influence of the inlet temperature on the
performance of a fixed bed reactor for oxidation of o-xylene into phthalic anhydride,
Chemical Engineering Science, 47, # 5, 1291-1298 (1992).
10. Nikolov V., A. Anastasov, D. Klissurski, Achievements in the production of phthalic
anhydride obtained by vapour phase oxidation of o-xylene in a fixed bed, La
Chimica & L Industria (Italy), 72, 111-114 (1990).
11. Nikolov V., D. Klissurski, A. Anastasov, Phthalic anhydride from o-xylene;
Catalysis, science and engineering, Catalysis Reviews-Science and Engineering, 33,
# 3/4, 319-374 (1991).
12. Nikolov V., A. Anastasov, D. Elenkov, G. Ganev, N. Dimitrov, Oxidation of oxylene into phthalic anhydride in a reactor with two fixed beds of vanadium-titania
catalyst, Chemical Engineering & Processing, 25, 127 - 131 (1989).
13. Nikolov V., A. Anastasov, A study of coolant temperature in an industrial reactor for
o-xylene oxidation, A. I. Ch. E. Journal, 35, No 3, 511 - 513 (1989).
14. Nikolov V., A. Anastasov, D. Elenkov, G. Ganev, N. Dimitrov, A new approach to
the oxidation of o-xylene into phthalic anhydride in a fixed bed of a vanadiumtitanium catalyst, Chemical Engineering & Processing, 24, 157-162 (1988).
15. Anastasov A., D. Elenkov, V. Nikolov, A model study of a conventional fixed bed
tubular reactor with a catalyst layer on the inside tube wall, Chemical Engineering
& Processing, 23, # 4, 203-211 (1988).
The research activity of the scientific direction
“Heterogeneous moving bed reactors” leaded by Prof. S. D.
Vlaev is as follows:
ACHIEVEMENTS
Of the Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory in BAS
Research group in heterogeneous moving bed operations
Thanks to the activity of the research group in ‘Heterogeneous moving bed
reactors’, namely,
Prof. Serafim D. VLAEV, DSc and his co-workers :
(http://www.pse.ice.bas.bg:8080/Professor/S.Vlaev.htm)
Dr. M. Valeva, M. Martinov, D. Georgiev, M. Tsenova, and P. Staykov,
In response to the program activities of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Institute of Chemical Engineering, in the recent 10 years the Laboratory of
Chemical Reaction Engineering has achieved the significant results, as
follows:
(1) Expertise and studies in fundamental and applied science
The Laboratory has competed at international calls by elaboration of (more than 10)
project proposals in European framework programs FP4, FP5, FP6, FP7 and SEEERA.NET; additionally, bilateral international program projects RILA (2) and national
competitive sessions with the local National Science Foundation (a total of 5 projects),
the major projects
The major expertise of the group is in mixing and aeration.
Expertise
MIXING AND CHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL REACTORS
Subdivisions:
Modeling of stirred chemical and biochemical reactors
Chem. Eng. Sci. 2001
Trans. Inst. Chem. Engrs. 2002, 2004
Analysis and modelling of bubble column reactors
Chem.Eng. Sci. 2000, Can. J. Chem. Eng. 2003
Mechanical stability of immobilised preparations and biocatalyst carriers
Biotechnol. Bioeng.(Wiley)1992
Chemical Eng. Processing (Elsevier) 1996
Mixing in non-Newtonian media (incl. gas and solid particles)
Chem. Eng. Res.Des. (Hemisphere Publ.) 1995, 1998, 2000.
Recents Progress en Genie des Procedes Vol.11:Mixing IX Multiphase Systems,
Lavoisier Technique et Documentation, Paris, 1997
Canadian J. Chem. Eng. Special Issues on Mixing (1998, 2002, 2003)
Trans. IChemE Part C (2004), Chem. Eng. Science, 2006.
Previous areas
Rheology and oxygen transfer in stirred cultivation media,
Chem. Eng. J. (Elsevier) 1990,
J. Chem.Eng. (Japan CEng Society) 1994
World Journal of Microbiology&Biotechnol.(UNESCO) 1992
Rotating disc reactor for reaction processes in slurries,
Book of NATO ASI Series:Mass Transfer with Chemical Reaction Vol.2
(Martinus& Nijhof Publishers)
1983
We have participated in numerous international projects.
PROJECTS WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Supervised by Prof. S.D. VLAEV at BAS (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences)
A total of 4 projects:
1. Project BIO-PATH (ERB.CIPA.CT92.4010) “Bioproducts from Agricultural Raw Materials: Research
and Technological Development towards High Value Added Market Outlets”
Project term 1994/1996
BAS Grant  15 000
Principle result: Methods for utilization of fiber waste
2. Project CIPA.CT94.0179 “Gas-Liquid Reactor Design and Selection for Complex-Rheology Fluids in
the Fine Chemicals, Bioprocessing and Pharmaceutrical Industries”
Project term 1995/1998 30 000
BAS Grant  35 000
Principle result: Simulation procedure for stirred reactor design
3. Project IC15.CT98.0502 “Evaluation of a new energy saving mixer impeller for the process industries”
Project term 1998/2001
BAS Grant:  58 000
Principle result: A new-energy-saving mixing impeller
4. Project BLACKSEASUSTECH (IC.A1.CT2001.60002) “International Workshop on Chemical
Engineering Methods for Sustainable Use of Energy and Raw Materials”
Project term 2001/2002
BAS Grant:  7 000
Principle result: Building partnerships for joint research.
RECENT UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
2001/2004
Convention of bilateral research collaboration with Laboratory ProBioGEM POLYTECH’LILLE,
Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille : Studies on mixing and aeration in fermentation.
2008/2010
Convention of bilateral research collaboration with Laboratory ‘Biologie et Chimie Marine’ at University
Bretagne Sud: Studies on the fibre bed bioreactor .
(2) Elaboration of prognoses, programs and projects for development
We have consulted and disseminated currently the recent European priorities in the area
of reaction engineering related to mixing and aeration moving bed equipment.
(3) Arrangement and supervision of post graduate educational programs
At present, three doctoral programs are being carried out by the group.
RECENT SUPERVISED DOCTORAL STUDIES
In France University Bretagne Sud, Lab of Marine Chemistry and Biology
2008/2010
Research doctoral project:
Analyses of the fixed fibrous bed bioreactor fluid dynamics and mass transfer
In France University of Science and Technology of Lille Lab ProBioGem
2006/2008
Research doctoral subject:
Application of CFD in bioreactor analysis
In Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Institute of Chemical Engineering:
2006/2008
Research doctoral subject:
Mixing impellers design modification for energy-saving
(4)The group publishes scientific papers and dissiminates the research
results
During the recent years, numerous papers and conference presentations have been
published. These publications have been cited by researchers in international journals
more than hundred times.
Papers
by 20.03.2008
(following the year 2001)
D.Georgiev, S.D.Vlaev,
Fluid Flow Properties of Slotted Flat- and Hollow-blade Impellers,
Chem. Biochem.Eng. Quarterly 22 (No. 2) (2008)
S.D.Vlaev, D.Georgiev, I.Nikov, M.Elqotbi,
The CFD approach for shear analysis of mixing reactor: verification an
dexamples of use,
J. Eng. Sci. Technol. 2 (2007) 177-187
S.. Vlaev I. Nikov M. Martinov
Shear and skin friction on particles in power-law fluids agitated by flat-blade and
fluid foil impellers,
Chem.Eng.Science, 61 (2006) 5455-5467.
D.Georgiev, S.D.Vlaev, Flow field characteristics of modified inclined-blade
mixing impellers, Journal of the University of Chemical Technology and
Metallurgy, 41(1), 2006, 45-50.
D.Georgiev, S.D.Vlaev Flow field variation by minor modification of impeller
blades, in: Proc. 12th Eur.Conf. on Mixing, (Editors: F.Magelli, G.Baldi, A.Brucato)
Bologna, Italy, 27-30 June 2006, pp 41-48.
O. Faltsi, S.D. Vlaev, D. Sofialidis, J. Kirpitsas, Novel Areas and Future Trends of
Computational Fluid Dynamics Software Applications in Chemical Engineering,
Chemical Industry & Chemical Engineering Quarterly (CI&CEQ 12 (4) 213-219
(2006))
M. Elqotbi, L. Montastruc, S.D. Vlaev, I. Nikov CFD simulation of gluconic acid
production in a stirred gas-liquid fermenter, in: Proc. 12th Eur.Conf. on Mixing,
(Editors: F.Magelli, G.Baldi, A.Brucato) Bologna, Italy, 27-30 June 2006, pp 583590.
I. Nikov, S.D. Vlaev, M. Martinov, Effectiveness of power law mixing in stirred
reactrors utilizing new fluid-foil blades.,
Bulg. Chem..Commun. 37 (2),(2005) 126-129.
I. Nikov, S.D. Vlaev, M. Martinov,
On the measurement of average shear rate in STR with flat and hydrofoil
impellers, Compt. rend. Acad. bulg. sci. 57 (2004) 77-82.
S.D. Vlaev, P. Staykov, R. Popov,
Pressure distribution at impeller blades of some radial flow impellers in
saccharose and xanthan gum solutions, Food and Bioproduct Processing,
Trans. Inst. Chem.Engrs, 2004, 82, 13-20
Hristov, H., R. Mann, V. Lossev, S.D. Vlaev,
A simplified CFD for 3-D analysis of fluid mixing, mass transfer and bioreaction in
a fermenter, Food and Bioproduct Processing
Trans. Inst. Chem.Engrs 2004, 82(1) 21-34.
S.D. Vlaev and M. Fialova
Bubble Column Bioreactors:Comparison with Stirred Fermenters Based on Local
Gas Holdup Distributrion,
Can. J. Chem. Eng. 81 (3-4), 2003, pp. 535-542.
S.D. Vlaev, P. Staykov, S. Kraitschev
Numerical Analysis of the Drag-Reducing Performance of Blade Shape in
Strirred Power Law Fluids,
Proc. 11th European Conference on Mixing, (Bamberg, Germany, 14/17 Oct.
2003), VDI-GVC, Dusseldorf, 2003, pp. 331-338.
S.D. Vlaev, M. Valeva, R. Mann,
Some Effects of Rheology on the Spatial Distribution of Gas Hold-up in a
Mechanically Agitated Vessel
Chem. Eng. J., 87 (2002) 21-30.
M. Martinov and S.D. Vlaev,
Increasing Gas-Liquid Mass Transfer in Stirred Power Law Fluids by Using a
New Energy-Saving Impeller,
Chem. Biochem. Eng. Q. 16 (2002) 1-6
S.D. Vlaev, P. Mavros, P. Seichter, R. Mann
Operational Characteristics of a New Energy-Saving Impeller for Gas-Liquid
Mixing,
Can. J. Chem. Eng. 80(3), 653-659) Special Issue on Mixing (2002)
Zahradnik, J., Mann, R., Fialova, M., Vlaev, D., Vlaev, S.D., Lossev,V, Seichter,P
A N-o-Z analysis of mixing and mass transfer in three industrial bioreactors.
Chem. Eng. Sci. 56 (2001).
H. Hristov, R. Mann, V. Lossev, S.D. Vlaev, P.Seichter,
A 3-D analysis of gas-liquid mixing mass transfer and bioreaction in a stirred
bioreactor,
Trans. Inst. Chem. Eng. Part C. Food and Bioproduct Processing, 79 (C4), 232241 (2001)
Mavros, P., Mann, R., Vlaev, S.D., Bertrand, J.,
Exp. visualization and CFD simulation of flow patterns induced by a novel
energy-saving dual configuration impeller in stirred vessels.
Chem. Eng. Proc. Des. 79A, 2001, 857-866.
Conferences 2001-2007:
S.D. Vlaev was included in the Scientific Committee of the 12th Eur.Conf. on
Mixing, Bologna, Italy, 27-30 June 2006,
Three papers of the group have been reported at this European Forum, as noted
above in the Proceedings.
S.D. Vlaev:
Chemical Engineering Analysis Prospective Support for Regional Food and
Bioproduct Processing Industry –
Proc. 1st South East European Congress of Chemical Engineering, 25*28 Sept.
2005 Belgrade, Serbia/Montenegro
D. Georgiev, S.D. Vlaev
Flow Field Characteristics of Modified Flat-Blade Mixing Impellers”
Proc. 1-st South East European Congress of Chemical Engineering, Belgrade,
Serbia and Montenegro, September 25-28, 2005
Staykov, P., Fialova, M., Vlaev, S.D. 2005. Computational Flow Modeling Of A
Bubble Column Reactor With Emphasis On Gas Holdup Distribution. (Paper ID =
194)
32nd International Conference of Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering,
Tatranské Matliare (Slovakia), May 23 / 27, 2005
S.D. Vlaev, M. Fialová1
Modeling of bubble column reactors gas proliferation: previous and present
achievements CHISA’2004
Paper presented tat the 16th International Congress of Chemical and Process
Engineering, 22/26 August 2004, Prague, Czech Republic
CD-ROM of Full texts, Paper 0809.pdf
Vlaev S.D., Fialová M.: Bubble Column Bioreactors: Comparison with Stirred
Fermenters Based on Local Gas Hold-up Distribution.
Paper at 6th International Conference on Gas-Liquid and Gas-Liquid-Solid
Reactor Engineering, Vancouver,B.C., Canada, 17-20 August 2003. [10571]
Fialová M., Vlaev S.D.: Local gas Holdup in Viscous Batches in Bubble Column
Reactor. (Eng) 30th International Conference of Slovak Society of Chemical
Engineering, Proceedings, p. 150, Tatranské Matliare, Slovakia, 26-30 May
2003. [10455]
Paper at 11th Eur.Conf. on Mixing, Bamberg (Germany), Oct. 2003
S.D. Vlaev, P. Staykov,
Application of RANS modeling for drag-velocity analysis of blade hydrodynamics
in stirred tanks
Proc. 2003 South-Eastern Europe Fluent Users’ Group Meeting (Istanbul,
Turkey, Oct. 16/17, 2003), pp. 9-26.
(5) Performing research collaboration with partners in and out of the
country
The group has numerous partners in the country and abroad. Among them, we have
joint research with companies BALKANPHARMA (formerly Antibiotic Co. in Razgrad)
and recently BioVet Co. (Peshtera) and national Universities (Technical University in
Sofia and Russe Polytechnics College of Biotechnology in Razgrad).
The international aspect of our collaboration includes industry and academia.
● Department of Engineering and Analytical Science (formerly chemical Engineering
department) of Manchester University University of Science and Technology
(Prof. Reg Mann)
● Research Institute of Chemical and Process Engineering (Veszprem, Hungary) (Prof. E.
Nagy, Dr. Cs. Sisak) – 20 years
● Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals at the Czech Academy of Sciences in
Prague (Czech Republic) – (Dr. Zahradnik, Dr. Fialova)since more than 20 years
● Polytech’Lille, University of Science and Technology of Lille (Prof. Nikov), France –
since 8 years
● University Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France (Prof. Hadjiev)– since 2007
● Aristotel University in Thessaloniki, Greece (Prof. Mavros)
● Simtec (FLUENT) Company in Greece (Dr. Faltsi)
● Techmix Co. (Brno, Czech Republic) (Dr. Seichter)
● Hannover University (Prof. Schuegerl)
● National Technical University of Athens in Greece (Prof. E. Koukios)
● University of Chemical Engineering (Veszprem, Hungary)- (Prof. Gyula Marton)
(6) Membership in international organizations and activities
The following memberships in International Bodies have been realized:
Delegacy in the European Federation of Chemical Engineering Working Parties:
Two working parties have been involved in these activities by the membership of Prof.
S.D. Vlaev: European Working Party on Mixing (since 1993) and European Working
Party on CAPE (Computer Aided Process Engineering) – since 2007
(see http://www.efce.cz/wpm)
(7) Performing activities related to research and application of scientific
results
The following applied projects have been realized in recent years by orders from
academic and industrial partners
● Design and know how of impeller mixing fermenter as physical model for bioreaction
studies (22 000 euro)
● Design and testing of a ‘shock-cooling’ system (5000 euro)
● Separation and diffusion units – concept and prototypes of study (2200 euro)
● Starting in 1995, the group has been consulting pharmaceutical companies in BG:
Antibiotic Company in Razgrad and since 2004 our experience covered also BioVet
Company in Peshtera.
LABORATORY STAFF
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The following scientists and specialists are involved in the Laboratory staff:
Prof. Asen Ivanov Anastasov, PhD, D.Sc., Head;
Prof. Serafim Dimitrov Vlaev, PhD, D.Sc.;
Assoc. Prof. Valentin Asenov Nikolov, PhD, D.Sc.;
Assoc. Prof. Vera Vladimirova Mircheva, PhD;
Assist. Prof. Minka Dimitrova Valeva, PhD;
Assist. Prof. Martin Stefanov Martinov;
Assist. Prof. Evgenia Krasimova Vasileva;
Eng. Radka Nikolova Popova;
Eng. Dragomir Yotov Yotov.