This work uses a computational fluid dynamics approach for the simulation of a slurry bubble column reactor, applied in the hydroconversion of heavy oils under severe temperature and pressure operating conditions. Simulations are carried out in two steps: first, the fluid dynamics is determined by the calculation of the pressure drop in the bed and the radial distribution of gas and slurry for the holdup, effective viscosity (dispersion) and velocity. Then a thermal cracking reaction is simulated and the oil conversion to lighter fractions such as gasoil, diesel, naphtha and gases is obtained. Results show the recirculation pattern in the reactor which leads to a high degree of backmixing in the slurry phase. Temperature and liquid residence time are found to have a great influence in the oil cracking conversion.This work uses a computational fluid dynamics approach for the simulation of a slurry bubble column reactor, applied in the hydroconversion of heavy oils under severe temperature and pressure operating conditions. Simulations are carried out in two steps: first, the fluid dynamics is determined by the calculation of the pressure drop in the bed and the radial distribution of gas and slurry for the holdup, effective viscosity (dispersion) and velocity. Then a thermal cracking reaction is simulated and the oil conversion to lighter fractions such as gasoil, diesel, naphtha and gases is obtained. Results show the recirculation pattern in the reactor which leads to a high degree of backmixing in the slurry phase. Temperature and liquid residence time are found to have a great influence in the oil cracking conversion.5221-2241794185Abreu, J.C., (1995) Modelagem e Simulação de Reator de Leito Expandido Aplicado ao Hidroprocessamento de Óleos Pesados e Resíduos de Destilação, , M.Sc. dissertation, UNICAMP, BrazilBeanton, W.I., Bertolacini, R.J., Resid Hydroprocessing at Amoco (1991) Catal. Rev. Sci. Engng, 33, pp. 281-317Carbonell, M.M., (1996) Modelagem e Simulação de Reator Fluidizado Trifásico Aplicado ao Processo de Hidroconversão de Óleos Pesados, , M.Sc. dissertation, UNICAMP, BrazilChen, Z., Zheng, C., Feng, Y., Hofmann, H., Modelling of three-phase fluidized beds based on local bubble characteristics measurements (1995) Chem. Engng Sci., 50, pp. 231-236Dudukovic, M.P., Devanathan, N., Bubble column reactors: Some recent developments (1993) Chemical Reactor Technology for Environmentally Safe Reactors and Products, pp. 353-377. , eds. H. I. Lasa, G. Dogu and A. Ravella, Kluwer Academic Publishers, DordrechtFan, L.S., (1989) Gas-Liquid-Solid Fluidization Engineering, , Butterworths, LondonHYSIM® (1994) Hyprotech Ltda. CanadaGasche, H.E., Edinger, C., Kompel, H., Hofmann, H., A fluid dynamically based model of bubble column reactors (1990) Chem. Engng Technol., 13, pp. 341-349Grienberger, J., Hofmann, H., Investigations and modelling of bubble columns (1992) Chem. Engng Sci., 47, pp. 2215-2220Menzel, T., Weide, T., Staudacher, O., Wein, O., Onken, U., Reynolds shear stress for modeling of bubble column reactors (1990) Ind. Engng Chem. Res., 29, pp. 988-994Mosby, J.F., Buttke, R.D., Cox, J.A., Nikolaides, C., Process characterization of expanded-bed reactors in series (1986) Chem. Engng Sci., 41, pp. 989-995Patankar, S.V., (1980) Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, , Hemisphere, Washington, DCReichardt, H., (1951) Z. Angew. Math. Mech., 31, p. 208Tarmy, B.L., Chang, M., Coulaloglou, C.A., Ponzi, P.R., The Three Phase Hydrodynamic Characteristics of the EDS Coal Liquefaction Reactors: Their Development and Use in Reactor Scaleup (1984) Institution of Chemical Engineers Symposium Series, Vol. 87, 8th International Symposium on Chemical Reaction Engineering, 87. , Edinburg, 10-13 SeptemberTorvik, R., Svendsen, H.F., Modelling of slurry reactors. A fundamental approach (1990) Chem. Engng Sci., 45, pp. 2325-2332Trambouze, P., Engineering of hydrotreating process (1993) Chemical Reactor Technology for Environmentally Safe Reactors and Products, pp. 409-424. , eds. H. I. Lasa, G. Dogu and A. Ravella, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht