Pulsing to improve bubble column performance: I. Low gas rates

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2006

Abstract

The liquid phase of a batch bubble column was subjected to low-amplitude pulsations at modest frequencies (range 0-30 Hz). At low gas rates (up to 5 mL/s) using a single-injector tube we found that substantial bubble breakage occurred at frequencies < 30 Hz. At the low flow rates examined, enhanced bubble breakup occurred mainly as a result of two-phase flow developing within the injector tube. External sinusoidal pulsation caused high-velocity water ingestion (suck-back) and expulsion from the injector. This suck-back action caused intense fragmentation of gas slugs within the injector, often into many very small bubbles, as high-speed imaging showed. Mass transfer coefficients were measured as a function of pulsation frequency and driver amplitudes at several airflow rates, demonstrating the benefits of this type of pulsed bubble column. A simple dynamic mechanical model of the pulsed liquid column predicted resonance, which depended on membrane thickness of the driving piston. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

AIChE Journal

First Page

1103

Last Page

1115

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