Effect of adding alcohols and gas velocity on gas holdup and mass transfer coefficient in bubble columns with draught tube

Abstract EN

The bubble columns are widely used as a two or three phase reactor in industrial chemical process such as absorption, biochemical reactions, coal liquefaction, etc.

To design such a column, two main parameters should be taken in consideration, the gas hold-up ( ), and the liquid phase mass transfer coefficient KLa.

The study includes the effect of gas velocity and the addition of alcohols on gas hold-up and mass transfer coefficient in bubble column with draught tube when the length of the column is 1.5m and the ratio of the draught tube diameter to the column diameter equals 0.5 and the air dispersion into the base of the draught tube using a multi hole tuyere is equivalent to a diameter of 0.15 mm and has a free sectional distributor area of 61%.

Water and three aqueous solutions of 10% concentration methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, were used as the liquid phase.

The various gas velocity (0.01-0.1) meter/sec are used and the results were compared in case of using water only without the addition of alcohols.

From experimental observations, and KLa increase with increasing gas velocity and with the coalescence inhibition of liquid.