Effect of surfactants on liquid-side mass transfer coefficients

In the present paper, the effect of liquid properties (surfactants) on bubble generation phenomenon, interfacial area and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient was investigated. The measurements of surface tension (static and dynamic methods), of critical micelle concentration (CMC) and of characteristic adsorption parameters such as the surface coverage ratio at equilibrium (s_e) were performed to understand the effects of surfactants on the mass transfer efficiency. Tap water and aqueous solutions with surfactants (cationic and anionic) were used as liquid phases and an elastic membrane with a single orifice as gas sparger. The bubbles were generated into a small-scale bubble column. The local liquid-side mass transfer coefficient (k_L) was obtained from the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k_La) and the interfacial area (a) was deduced from the bubble diameter (D_B), the bubble frequency (f_B) and the terminal bubble rising velocity (U_B). Only the dynamic bubble regime was considered in this work (Re_OR=150-1000 and We=0.002-4).This study has clearly shown that the presence of surfactants affects the bubble generation phenomenon and thus the interfacial area (a) and the different mass transfer parameters, such as the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k_La) and the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient (k_L). Whatever the operating conditions, the new k_La determination method has provided good accuracy without assuming that the liquid phase is perfectly mixed as in the classical method. The surface coverage ratio (s_e) proves to be crucial for predicting the changes of k_L in aqueous solutions with surfactants.     

Revisiting Basics of kLa Dependency on Aeration in Bubble Columns: a Is Surprisingly Stable

A comprehensive experimental characterization of a small-scale bubble column bioreactor (60 mL) is presented. Bubble size distribution (BSD), gas holdup, and k_La were determined for different types of liquids, relevant fermentation conditions and superficial gas velocities u_G. The specific interfacial area a and liquid mass transfer coefficient k_L have been identified independent of each other to unravel their individual impact on k_La. Results show that increasing u_G leads to larger bubbles and higher gas holdup. As both parameters influence a in opposite ways, no increase of a with u_G is found. Furthermore, k_L increases with increasing bubble size outlining that improved oxygen transfer is not the result of higher a but of risen k_L instead. The results build the foundation for further simulative investigations.     

Mass transfer in bubble column for industrial conditions—effects of organic medium, gas and liquid flow rates and column design

Most of available gas-liquid mass transfer data in bubble column have been obtained in aqueous media and in liquid batch conditions, contrary to industrial chemical reactor conditions. This work provides new data more relevant for industrial conditions, including comparison of water and organic media, effects of large liquid and gas velocities, perforated plates and sparger hole diameter.The usual dynamic O₂ methods for mass transfer investigation were not convenient in this work (cyclohexane, liquid circulation). Steady-state mass transfer of CO₂ in an absorption-desorption loop has been quantified by IR spectrometry. Using a simple RTD characterization, mass transfer efficiency and k_La have been calculated in a wide range of experimental conditions.Due to large column height and gas velocity, mass transfer efficiency is high, ranging between 40% and 90%. k_La values stand between 0.015 and and depend mainly on superficial gas velocity. No significant effects of column design and media have been shown. At last, using both global and local hydrodynamics data, mass transfer connection with hydrodynamics has been investigated through k_La/ε_G and k_La/a.     

Absorption and reaction of isobutene in sulfuric acid—III: Considerations on the scale up of bubble columns

In spite of their simple construction the scale up of bubble columns of industrial size demands application of models which account for dispersion effects and variations of pressure and gas flow rate. However, using such models and parameter values obtained from other studies it was not possible to describe successfully measured conversions of the absorption of isobutene in a 7 m bubble column though the interfacial area was determined separately. The measurements were carried out under such conditions at which the absorption takes place in the slow reaction regime of mass transfer. A sufficient agreement between experimental and predicted conversions could be obtained merely if a lower value of k_L was used. A more detailed analysis of bubble size distributions indicated that the decrease of k_L may be apparently only since the interfacial areas determined photographically must not necessarily be the area which is effective to mass transfer. k_La-values in larger bubble columns with gas spargers which are common in industry are considerably lower than k_La-data found in smaller columns with porous gas distributors.     

Using image analysis in the study of multiphase gas absorption

For the air-water-calcium alginate beads system, the effect of the presence of solids on the mass transfer characteristics in a bubble column was experimentally studied.Volumetric liquid side mass transfer coefficient, k_La, specific interfacial area, a, and hence liquid side mass transfer coefficient, k_L, were determined under different solid concentrations (0, 5, and 10 vol%), superficial gas velocities (up to 0.27 cm/s) and solid sizes (1.2 and 2.1 mm diameter). The bubble characteristics, namely the interfacial area, were obtained using an image analysis technique.This technique proved to be a suitable and practical method to characterize mass transfer phenomena in bubble columns for the range of operating conditions used. The solids affect negatively k_La, decreasing both a and k_L, the effect being more pronounced for the smaller particles. For these particles the variation of k_La is due to the variation of its two components, while for larger particles k_La variation is due, essentially, to changes in k_L as no significant differences in a were observed.     

Exclusion of gas sparger influence on mass transfer in bubble columns

Gas phase CO₂ concentration profiles were measured in two sizes of bubble columns with different gas spargers and with the liquid phase (tap water) entrance or exit (cocurrent or countercurrent flow) at a certain height above the gas distributor. The region of high turbulence intensity near the sparger was locally separated from the region of high mass transfer rates in such columns. A modified back flow cell model was applied to describe the experimental data. The k_L-values obtained from fitting the profiles agreed for both columns and, in addition, did not differ for cocurrent and countercurrent flow. This is in remarkable contrast to previous findings(10,11). The large influence of the gas sparger on the k_L-values even in tall bubble columns was thus demonstrated. It is thought that this may probably be one of the reasons why correlations for prediction of k_L differ so significantly.     

Effect of surfactants on liquid-side mass transfer coefficients in gas-liquid systems: A first step to modeling

This paper focuses on the effect of surfactants on the mass transfer parameters (volumetric mass transfer coefficient k_La and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient k_L). Tap water and aqueous solutions with surfactants (anionic, cationic and non-ionic at concentrations up to are used as liquid phases. The bubbles are generated into a small-scale bubble column having an elastic membrane with a single orifice as gas sparger. To understand the effects of the surfactants on the mass transfer, not only the static surface tension is used, but also the characteristic adsorption parameters like the surface coverage ratio at equilibrium Se. The liquid-side mass transfer coefficient is obtained from the ratio of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (measured by a chemical method) and the specific interfacial area. These two parameters are obtained simultaneously. The methods used to obtain these parameters are described in Painmanakul et al. [2005. Effects of surfactants on liquid-side mass transfer coefficients. Chemical Engineering Science 60, 6480-6491].Whatever the liquid phase, three zones are found on the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient variation with the bubble diameter. For bubble diameters less than 1.5 mm, whatever the liquid phases, the k_L values are roughly constant at . For bubble diameters greater than 3.5 mm, the k_L values do not vary much with the bubble diameter, but depend on the surfactant concentration. For bubble diameters between 1.5 and 3.5 mm, the k_L values increase from to the value reached at 3.5 mm. This increase depends on the surfactants. Higbie's model does not represent the k_L values for bubble diameters greater than 3.5 mm, even though there is a small amount of surfactant in the liquid phase. Thus, a model is proposed for each zone described above. Explanations are also proposed for the effect of the surfactant on the k_L values for each of the above zones.     

Mass Transfer Characteristics of Syngas Components in Slurry System at Industrial Conditions

The gas‐liquid mass transfer behavior of syngas components, H₂ and CO, has been studied in a three‐phase bubble column reactor at industrial conditions. The influences of the main operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, superficial gas velocity and solid concentration, have been studied systematically. The volumetric liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient k_La is obtained by measuring the dissolution rate of H₂ and CO. The gas holdup and the bubble size distribution in the reactor are measured by an optical fiber technique, the specific gas‐liquid interfacial area aand the liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient k_L are calculated based on the experimental measurements. Empirical correlations are proposed to predict k_L and a values for H₂ and CO in liquid paraffin/solid particles slurry bubble column reactors.     

Numerical simulations of gas-liquid mass transfer in bubble columns with a CFD-PBM coupled model

Gas-liquid mass transfer in a bubble column in both the homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes was studied by numerical simulations with a CFD-PBM (computation fluid dynamics-population balance model) coupled model and a gas-liquid mass transfer model. In the CFD-PBM coupled model, the gas-liquid interfacial area a is calculated from the gas holdup and bubble size distribution. In this work, multiple mechanisms for bubble coalescence, including coalescence due to turbulent eddies, different bubble rise velocities and bubble wake entrainment, and for bubble breakup due to eddy collision and instability of large bubbles were considered. Previous studies show that these considerations are crucial for proper predictions of both the homogenous and the heterogeneous flow regimes. Many parameters may affect the mass transfer coefficient, including the bubble size distribution, bubble slip velocity, turbulent energy dissipation rate and bubble coalescence and breakup. These complex factors were quantitatively counted in the CFD-PBM coupled model. For the mass transfer coefficient k_l, two typical models were compared, namely the eddy cell model in which k_l depends on the turbulent energy dissipation rate, and the slip penetration model in which k_l depends on the bubble size and bubble slip velocity. Reasonable predictions of k_la were obtained with both models in a wide range of superficial gas velocity, with only a slight modification of the model constants. The simulation results show that CFD-PBM coupled model is an efficient method for predicting the hydrodynamics, bubble size distribution, interfacial area and gas-liquid mass transfer rate in a bubble column.     

Effect of electrolytes in aqueous solutions on oxygen transfer in gas–liquid bubble columns

The effects of inorganic electrolytes (NaCl, MgCl₂, CaCl₂) in aqueous solutions on oxygen transfer in a bubble column were studied. Electrolyte concentrations (c) below and above the critical concentrations for bubble coalescence (c_tc), and six superficial gas velocities (v_sg), were evaluated. The volumetric mass transfer (k_La) and the mass transfer (k_L) coefficients were experimentally determined. It was found that the concentration of electrolytes reduced the k_L, but the interfacial area (a) increased enough to result in a net increase of k_La. Using as independent variable a normalizing variable (c_r = c/c_tc), and maintaining fixed v_sg, similar values of k_La were observed regardless the kind of electrolyte; the same happened for k_L. This suggests that c_r quantifies the structural effects that these solutes exert on mass transfer. Also, once c_r = 1 was reached, no significant variations were found in k_La and k_L for constant v_sg. It is concluded that the gradual inhibition of bubble coalescence (c_r < 1) governs the significant changes in hydrodynamics and mass transfer via the reduction of bubble size and the consequent increment of a and gas holdup (?_g). Finally, regarding the effects of v_sg on mass transfer, transition behaviors between those expected for isolated bubbles and bubble swarms were observed.     

Mass transfer characteristics of low H/D bubble columns

The mass transfer characteristics of 0.2, 0.6 and 1.0 m diameter bubble columns having a low height to diameter ratio (0.6 < H/D < 4) and operated at low superficial gas velocities (0.01 < V_G < 0.08 m/s) were investigated. Different types of spargers were used to study their effect on the column performance. The values of effective interfacial area, a , and volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_L a , were measured by using chemical methods. The values of a and k_L a were found to vary from 40 to 420 m²/m³ of clear liquid volume and from 0.01 to 0.16 s^?1, respectively, in the range of V_G, and V_L covered in this investigation. The value of the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient, k_L, was found to vary from 3 × 10^?4 to 7 × 10⁴ m/s. The effect of the physical properties of the system on the values of a was also investigated. The height to diameter ratio and the column diameter did not have significant effect on the values of gas holdup, a and k_L a . It was found that the sparger design is not of critical importance, provided multipoint/multiorifice gas spargers are used. The comparative performance of bubble columns having low H/D with horizontal sparged contactors and tall bubble columns has been considered.     

Mixing and mass transfer in tall bubble columns

In cocurrent bubble columns (15 and 20 cm diameter, 440 and 723 cm high) with different gas distributors measurements were carried out with tap water and solutions of salts and molasses. A stationary and a transient method were applied to determine the dispersion coefficients. Absorption and desorption of oxygen was studied by measuring the concentration profiles of oxygen in the liquid phase. Liquid phase mass transfer rates k_La were obtained adjusting the experimental profiles with the predictions of the axial dispersed plug flow model. Owing to the different gas spargers the k_La values of both columns differ by a factor of about two. Correlations are proposed for the k_La data of the various liquid phases which only depend on the gas velocity.     

Effect of the radical scavenger t-butanol on gas-liquid mass transfer

The alcohol t-butanol has been used as a radical scavenger in the studies of ozone reactions in water and has been found to affect the gas-liquid mass transfer rates. An understanding of the effects of t-butanol on mass transfer parameters, including bubble size, gas holdup, mass transfer coefficient and the mass transfer specific surface area, is of key importance to not only improve the knowledge of this particular system but also to gain fundamental understanding about the effects of gas/liquid surface modifiers on the contact between phases and the mass transfer rates. An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effects of t-butanol concentrations on the physical properties of aqueous solutions, including surface tension and viscosity. It was found that t-butanol reduced both properties-by 4% for surface tension and by a surprising 30% for viscosity. These reductions in the solution physical properties were correlated to enhancement in the mass transfer coefficient, k_L. The hydrodynamic behaviour of the system used in this work was characterised by a homogeneous bubbling regime. It was also found that the gas holdup was significantly enhanced by the addition of t-butanol. An equation to predict the gas holdup from the gas flow rate and t-butanol concentration was proposed to describe the experimental data. Moreover, the addition of t-butanol was found to significantly reduce the size of gas bubbles, leading to enhancement in the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_La. Bubble mean diameter was predicted using an equation developed by the Radial Basis Function Neural Network architecture obtained from the literature, and the mass transfer coefficient, k_L, was predicted using an equation based on the surface coverage ratio model. The ratio was found not to depend either on t-butanol concentration or on gas flow rate. A significant increase in the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_La, due to an increase in both k_L and a, was obtained following the addition of t-butanol, even at low concentrations.     

Comparison of Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer in Airlift and Bubble Column Reactors Using CFD

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to compare the hydrodynamics and mass transfer of an internal airlift reactor with that of a bubble column reactor, operating with an air/water system in the homogeneous bubble flow regime. The liquid circulation velocities are significantly higher in the airlift configuration than in bubble columns, leading to significantly lower gas holdups. Within the riser of the airlift, the gas and liquid phases are virtually in plug flow, whereas in bubble columns the gas and liquid phases follow parabolic velocity distributions. When compared at the same superficial gas velocity, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_La, for an airlift is significantly lower than that for a bubble column. However, when the results are compared at the same values of gas holdup, the values of k_La are practically identical.     

Effect of contaminants on mass transfer coefficients in bubble column and airlift contactors

In this work, the effects of surface-active contaminants on mass transfer coefficients k_La and k_L were studied in two different bubble contactors. The oxygen transfer coefficient, k_L, was obtained from the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient, k_La, since the specific interfacial area, a, could be determined from the fractional gas holdup, ε, and the average bubble diameter, d₃₂. Water at different heights and antifoam solutions of 0.5- were used as working media, under varying gas sparging conditions, in small-scale bubble column and rectangular airlift contactors of 6.7 and capacity, respectively. Both the antifoam concentration and the bubble residence time were shown to control k_La and k_L values over a span of almost 400%. A theoretical interpretation is proposed based on modelling the kinetics of single bubble contamination, followed by sudden surface transition from mobile to rigid condition, in accordance with the stagnant cap model. Model results match experimental k_L data within ±30%.     

Bubble size and mass transfer coefficients in dual-impeller agitated reactors

The study relates to the mass transfer and the bubble size in a non standard vessel equipped with various dual-impeller combinations. The effects of the rotational speed, gas flow rate, impeller type and diameter are investigated. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient k_La and the bubble size d_bs were studied. The liquid side mass transfer coefficient k_L and the volumetric interfacial area a were estimated separately. A comparison has been made with some existing correlations.     

Mass transfer characteristics in a gas–liquid reciprocating plate column. II. Interfacial area

This paper is the second part of a continuing study on mass transfer in a reciprocating plate column. The first part dealt with k_La. The bubble size distribution, the Sauter mean diameter and the interfacial area are the subject of this paper. The bubble size increases slightly with gas flow rate and decreases with agitation intensity above a “critical” level. The interfacial area increases with increasing agitation and aeration intensities, while the liquid flow rate and coalescing properties of the liquid have no significant effect. The specific interfacial area is correlated in terms of the superficial gas velocity and the maximum power consumption. The correlations obtained for k_La and a were used to calculate k_L. It was found that k_L depends on the agitation intensity and the bubble size.     

Gas Holdup and Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient in a Slurry Bubble Column

The gas holdup, ?, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_La, were measured in a 0.051 m diameter glass column with ethanol as the liquid phase and cobalt catalyst as the solid phase in concentrations of 1.0 and 3.8 vol.‐%. The superficial gas velocity U was varied in the range from 0 to 0.11 m/s, spanning both the homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes. Experimental results show that increasing catalyst concentration decreases the gas holdup to a significant extent. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_La, closely follows the trend in gas holdup. Above a superficial gas velocity of 0.04 m/s the value of k_La/? was found to be practically independent of slurry concentration and the gas velocity U; the value of this parameter is found to be about 0.45 s^–1. Our studies provide a simple method for the estimation of k_La in industrial‐size bubble column slurry reactors.     

CFD simulations of mass transfer from Taylor bubbles rising in circular capillaries

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to investigate mass transfer from Taylor bubbles to the liquid phase in circular capillaries. The liquid phase volumetric mass transfer coefficient k_La was determined from CFD simulations of Taylor bubbles in upflow, using periodic boundary conditions. The separate influences of the bubble rise velocity, unit cell length, film thickness, film length, and liquid diffusivity on k_La were investigated for capillaries of 1.5, 2 and diameter. The mass transfer from the Taylor bubble is the sum of the contributions of the two bubble caps, and the film surrounding the bubble. The Higbie penetration model is used to describe the mass transfer from the two hemispherical caps. The unsteady-state diffusion model of Pigford is used to describe the mass transfer to the downward flowing liquid film. The developed model for k_La is in good agreement with the CFD simulated values, and provides a practical method for estimating mass transfer coefficients in monolith reactors.     

Interfacial area and volumetric mass transfer coefficient in a bubble reactor at elevated pressures

The present study deals with the pressure effects on mass transfer parameters within a bubble reactor operating at pressures up to . The gas-liquid systems are N₂/CO₂-aqueous solution of Na₂CO₃-NaHCO₃ and N₂/CO₂-aqueous solution of NaOH. A sintered powder plate is used as a gas distributor. Three parameters characterizing the mass transfer are identified and investigated with respect to pressure: the gas-liquid interfacial area a, the volumetric liquid side mass transfer coefficient k_La and the volumetric gas side mass transfer coefficient k_Ga. The gas-liquid absorption with chemical reaction is used and the mass transfer parameters are determined by using the model reaction between CO₂ and the aqueous solutions of Na₂CO₃-NaHCO₃ and NaOH. For a given gas mass flow rate, the interfacial area as well as the volumetric liquid mass transfer coefficient decrease with increasing operating pressure. However, for a given pressure, a and k_La increase with increasing gas mass flow rates. The mass transfer coefficient k_L is independent of pressure. Furthermore, the pressure increase results in a decrease of k_G and k_Ga for a given gas mass flow rate. The values of the interfacial area, which are obtained from both chemical systems are found to be different. These discrepancies are attributed to the choice of the liquid system in the absorption reaction model.