Radiation field modeling of multi-lamp, homogeneous photoreactors

For modeling and optimization of photoreactors, knowing radiation distribution inside the reactor is essential because the kinetics of photochemical and photocatalytic reactions are strongly dependent on the local incident radiation. In this work, a Monte Carlo multi-lamp radiation model is proposed. The model takes into account the reflection on the surface of the lamps, the refraction in the quartz lamp envelope, as well as the adsorption and the isotropic re-emission of radiation in the mercury vapor of the lamp. To quantify the shadowing effect among the lamps, the effective transmittance through a UV-lamp turned on, a lamp turned off, and a lamp quartz envelope have been measured. For validation purposes, experimental measurements have been performed using one, two, and three lamps. The model predictions show good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, in order to simplify the numerical solution of the model, the validity of assuming the lamps 100% opaque and 100% transparent have been analyzed.