The rotating packed bed (RPB) is a typical process intensification device. However, the unbalanced vibration of the rotor makes the rotor transmission shaft squeeze the bearing and shaft seal frequently, which may destroy the bearing and shaft seal and cause material leakage. In response to this situation, this paper proposes a new spherical rotor structure design method based on hydrodynamic performance analysis for the RPB. It establishes the CFD models, including a conventional rotor structure and a spherical structure. The gas-liquid flow field characteristics in the two kinds of structural equipment are analyzed from the CFD results. It is found that the gas-liquid flow field distribution of the RPB with a spherical rotor structure is consistent with that of the conventional RPB, and the residence time of the liquid is less than 1s. The RPB with a spherical rotor structure meets the fluid performance of the high-gravity reactor. The gas-phase pressure drop of RPB with a spherical rotor structure is 20−35% lower than conventional structural RPB, and it increases the liquid holdup by 30−50%. It can be concluded that RPB with a spherical rotor structure has the advantages of lower pressure drop and higher liquid capture ability.

旋转填充床 (RPB) 是一种典型的工艺强化装置。但转子的不平衡振动使转子传动轴频繁挤压轴承和轴封，可能会破坏轴承和轴封，造成漏料。针对这种情况，本文提出了一种新的基于RPB流体动力性能分析的球形转子结构设计方法。它建立了CFD模型，包括常规转子结构和球形结构。从CFD结果分析了两种结构设备中的气液流场特性。研究发现，球形转子结构的RPB气液流场分布与常规RPB一致，液体停留时间小于1s。球形转子结构的RPB满足高重力反应堆的流体性能。球形转子结构的RPB气相压降比传统结构RPB降低20～35%，持液率提高30～50%。可以得出结论，采用球形转子结构的RPB具有压降更低、液体捕获能力更高的优点。