Modeling of gas–liquid flow in a rotating packed bed using an Eulerian multi-fluid approach

Rotating packed beds (RPBs) are ideal candidates for CO₂ removal from offshore natural gas due to their good mass transfer performance and significant volume savings. This article proposes an Eulerian multi-fluid approach to simulate the gas–liquid flow in RPBs. Three new multiphase drag force models are constructed based on single-phase drag force models for wire mesh packings. Based on the Eulerian multi-fluid approach, a new RPB simulation framework is developed. The predicted results using the new simulation framework with the new drag force models are compared with the experimental data. When using the Kołodziej model and the modified Kołodziej model, the predicted overall liquid holdup shows good agreement with the experimental data with errors less than 20%. In addition, the pressure drop predicted by these three models are reasonable compared with the experimental data. This work lays a foundation for RPB simulation of gas–liquid flow using Eulerian multi-fluid approach.     

Mass transfer characteristics in a rotating packed bed with split packing

The rotating packed bed (RPB) with split packing is a novel gas–liquid contactor, which intensifies the mass transfer processes controlled by gas-side resistance. To assess its efficacy, the mass transfer characteristics with adjacent rings in counter-rotation and co-rotation modes in a split packing RPB were studied experimentally. The physical absorption system NH3–H2O was used for characterizing the gas volumetric mass transfer coeffi-cient (kyae) and the effective interfacial area (ae) was determined by chemical absorption in the CO2–NaOH sys-tem. The variation in kyae and ae with the operating conditions is also investigated. The experimental results indicated that kyae and ae for counter-rotation of the adjacent packing rings in the split packing RPB were higher than those for co-rotation, and both counter-rotation and co-rotation of the split packing RPB were superior over conventional RPBs under the similar operating conditions.     

Comparison of mass transfer efficiency in horizontal rotating packed beds and rotating biological contactors

In this study, the mass transfer efficiencies of a novel horizontal rotating packed (h‐RPB) bed and the conventional disc‐type rotating biological contactor (RBC) were studied at four speeds and seven submergences. Pall rings of two different sizes (25, 38 mm), superintalox saddles and a wiremesh spiral bundle were used as packings in the h‐RPB. Volumetric gas–liquid mass transfer coefficients were determined by unsteady state absorption of atmospheric oxygen in de‐aerated water. Power consumption per unit liquid volume has been found for all geometries tested. The oxygen transfer efficiency values for the h‐RPB were found to be 2–5 kg kWh^?1 and for the disc RBC were found to be 1–2 kg kWh^?1. The performance of the h‐RPB was also compared with other gas–liquid contactors such as surface aerators. The study proves that the h‐RPB is a energy efficient alternative to conventional contactors. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

旋转填料床中硝酸吸收NO_x的实验研究(英文)

Absorption of NOx into nitric acid solutions was studied in the presence of ozone by using a rotating packed bed (RPB) contactor. The influences of operating parameters, such as high gravity number, amount of ozone, gas velocity, liquid spray density and inlet concentration of NOx, on the removal efficiency of NOx were investigated, among which the high gravity number and ozone amount are more important. Ozone was introduced to oxidize HNO2 to HNO3 to prevent the decomposition of HNO2 in the liquid phase. The high gravity number presents the effective external force for enhancing the mass transfer of ozone from gas phase to liquid phase. Under the experimental condition, the removal efficiency of NOx is higher than 90% and the concentration of nitric acid product exceeds 45%.     

Removal of phenolic compounds present in olive mill wastewaters by ozonation

The aim of this work is to study a pre-treatment process of olive mill wastewaters based on ozonation. The efficiency of the process depends on the removal of pollutants and on ozone mass transfer performance. In order to choose an appropriate gas/liquid contactor, the rate constants of three phenolic compounds (gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and p-coumaric acid) were determined by using competition kinetic model. These constants, obtained at pH 5, were found to be high (from 3.8 × 10⁴ L/mol s to 2.9 × 10⁵ L/mol s), inducing a diffusion controlled regime (Ha > 3). Thus, to obtain an efficient ozonation process, gas/liquid contactor should be adapted to this regime. An ejector was chosen as gas/liquid contactor. In a first time, treatment of synthetic effluent containing the three phenolic compounds was performed to evaluate efficiency of the process. Experimental conditions were chosen to obtain a diffusion controlled regime (Ha > 3). It appeared that this gas/liquid contactor permits obtaining complete and fast removal of pollutants with a very efficient ozone mass transfer (up to 90% during removal of phenolic compounds). So, this process was used to perform the ozonation treatment of olive mill wastewaters from Sfax (Tunisia). It was proved to be very efficient: up to 80% of phenolic compounds were removed and ozone mass transfer reached 95% during this oxidation.     

2,4-Xylidine Degradation with Ozonation: Mass Transfer and Reaction Kinetics

The kinetics of the degradation of 2,4-xylidine by ozonation as well as the ozone mass transfer in a wetted-wall column were investigated. A laboratory-scale ozone contactor was designed, and a steady-state wetted wall reactor model was developed. The model was based on countercurrent-connected and perfectly mixed mass transfer stages. It was possible to describe the evolution of the pollutant and ozone concentrations along the reactor length coordinate in various conditions. The model was used for the evaluation of the ozone mass transfer coefficient, reaction rate kinetics, and stoichiometric coefficient from experimental data. The ozone mass transfer coefficient for the wetted-wall column was estimated from the experiments in the absence of chemical reactions. When the estimated parameters were applied, the ozonation model of the wetted-wall column showed good agreement between the fitted and experimental data.     

Hydrodynamic Evaluation of a Turbine Ozone Contactor

Detailed tracer and ozone profile evaluations in a full-scale turbine ozone contactor were conducted to support the development of a hydrodynamic model. The tracer results combined with ozone concentration profiles suggested that the flow through the contactor is very complex and cannot be described as a single CSTR as stipulated by current regulations. A multistage mathematical flow model was developed and calibrated. Cocurrent flow of water and gas in a central part of the reactor was postulated to explain significant ozone concentration gradients. The developed model was suitable for use as a framework for calculations of ozone mass transfer and residual concentrations.     

Designing High Concentration Ozone Contactors for Drinking Water Treatment Plants

The design of high concentration ozone contacting systems requires special attention to ensure that mass transfer, mixing and disinfection objectives are met when low volumetric gas flow rates are used. This becomes especially critical when the ozone contactor is designed for primary disinfection and must meet CT (ozone concentration multiplied by contact time] disinfection values. This paper presents design guidelines for high concentration ozone contactors. These guidelines then are applied to the design of a new 55-mgd two-stage ozonation potable water plant for Henrico County, Virginia. Finally, a new type of in–line ozone injection contactor is presented as an alternative to fine-bubble diffusion contactors to provide primary disinfection.     

Removal of ozone from air by absorption in a rotating packed bed

This work investigated the feasibility of ozone (O₃) absorption by H₂O₂ solution in a rotating packed bed (RPB). The overall volumetric gas-phase mass transfer coefficients (K_Ga) were determined as functions of pH of H₂O₂ solution, O₃ concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, RPB speed, gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and RPB type. The K_Ga values were highly dependent on the pH of H₂O₂ solution. Also, the K_Ga values increased with O₃ concentration and H₂O₂ concentration. As expected, the RPB speed positively affected the K_Ga values for all RPBs. Furthermore, the obtained results indicated that the K_Ga values increased as the inner radius of the bed was increased and the outer radius of the bed was decreased. Moreover, the K_Ga values increased with an increasing liquid flow rate and an increasing gas flow rate for all RPBs. The dependences of K_Ga on the gas flow rate and the liquid flow rate indicated that the resistance to mass transfer in the gas-phase for O₃ absorption was higher than that in the liquid phase in the RPB.     

超重力旋转床中水脱氧过程的模型化研究

超重力旋转床是一种高效的强化传质和混合的新型设备。今提出了超重力旋转床中的水脱氧过程的传质模型,分别采用欧拉方法和拉格朗日方法对超重力旋转床中的气相和液滴的运动行为进行了数值模拟;在此基础上计算了液滴的传质系数,计算结果和实验结果符合较好,平均误差为7．9％。当超重力旋转床中液体存在的主体形式更接近于液滴时,模型计算结果误差减小。进一步讨论分析了液体和气体流量、转速以及填料内径的变化对于超重力旋转床体积传质系数的影响,分析表明旋转填料对液体剧烈地剪切破碎分散作用是强化传质过程的主要原因。     

Comparing Different Designs and Scales of Bubble Columns for Their Effectiveness in Treating Kraft Pulp Mill Effluents

The experimental results obtained in three different types of ozone contactors were analyzed to study the effects of the ozone contactor design, configuration, operating conditions, and scale-up on the: (1) ozonation process induced reduction efficiencies of color, AOX, COD, and TOC from biologically treated Kraft pulp mill effluents; (2) the increase in biodegradability of this type of wastewater; and (3) the dynamics of the ozone gas absorption process. The three types of ozone contactors included: (1) an extra-coarse-bubble diffuser ozone contactor; (2) an impinging-jet ozone contactor; and (3) a fine-bubble diffuser ozone contactor. Similar treatment levels were achieved in those ozone contactors although the impinging-jet bubble column was more effective in treating Kraft pulp mill effluents due to its smaller reactor volume and lower off-gas ozone concentrations. Consequently, the operating costs of an ozonation process and ozone off-gas destruction facilities will be greatly reduced when using the impinging-jet bubble column design for treating Kraft pulp mill effluents.     

A refined model for ozone mass transfer in a semibatch stirred vessel

The mathematical model proposed by Anselmi et al. (1984) for a semibatch stirred gas‐liquid contactor is refined to describe the mass transfer of ozone absorption and decomposition in aqueous solution with the decomposition rate expression of general reaction orders (not necessarily integers). Three system equations are employed to describe the ozone concentrations in the bulk liquid (C_ALb), the hold‐up gas (C_AGi), and the outlet gas in the free volume above the liquid surface (C_AGe), respectively. The effect of ozone decomposition on the mass transfer, which is reflected by the enhancement factor (E_r) defined as the ratio of mass absorbed per unit area in time t with chemical reaction (r) to that without chemical reaction or of the purely physical absorption, is considered in the refined model. Furthermore, the refined model also takes into account the variation of E_r with C_ALb, which changes with time during the course of gas‐liquid contacting. Thus this analysis extends the applicability of the model of Anselmi et al. (1984) and is of special importance for ozone mass transfer in the cases of basic solutions and of low mass transfer coefficients, in which the effect of decomposition on absorption is significant, and in the system with variable liquid phase ozone concentration.     

Mass transfer studies on split-packing and single-block packing rotating packed beds

In this work, SO₂ absorption in aqueous NaOH (gas side mass transfer resistance controlled system) and O₂ desorption from the water (liquid side mass transfer resistance controlled system) are experimentally evaluated for enhancement in the controlling side volumetric mass transfer coefficient using the novel split-packing and conventional single-block rotating packed bed (RPB) designs. In the split-packing RPB design, mass transfer characteristics for co-rotation and counter-rotation of adjacent rings are studied. For the SO₂ absorption system, results show a significant reduction in the controlling mass transfer resistance for split-packing over single-block packing for large RPBs. However, the mass transfer coefficients for co- and counter-rotation are comparable. For the O₂ desorption system, at low rotation rates, the split-packing design gives higher mass transfer rates compared to the single-block packing. This difference disappears as the rotation rate is increased. Possible reasons for the experimental observations are speculated. The results suggest the split packing design to be more suitable for gas side mass transfer resistance controlled systems.     

Tube Diameter and Height Influence on the Ozonation Operating Conditions with a U-Tube

Ozone has been used for a number of years in water treatment for viricidal and bactericidal action, as well as for its oxidizing properties. Energy consumption during its use depends on the performance of the ozone generators, but also on the ozone transfer efficiency from the gas phase to the liquid phase. Therefore, it is important to use a contactor with a high transfer efficiency.A new ozonation reactor has been developed: the Deep U-Tube (DUT). This reactor works under pressure, which increases the saturation concentration of ozone at equilibrium (C ). and creates a great turbulence, which breaks the gas bubbles and increases the interfacial area of exchange. Further, this new contactor has a piston hydraulic behavior in the liquid phase, which leads to a very great efficiency and to a better reduction for all reaction kinetics.     

Mass Balance Analysis of Ozone in Conventional Bubble Contactors

Ozone transfer into potable water was studied in a commercial scale contactor. Ozone mass balances have been calculated to determine ozone utilization in the contactor. Gas and liquid flowrates, as well as inlet ozone concentrations in the gas were varied. From these data it was possible to determine the mass transfer coefficient, the ozone consumption and the transfer efficiency. Procedures for calculating the design of contactors and the optimal operating conditions are proposed.     

Ozonation of C.I. Reactive Black 5 and Indigo

The ozone transfer for the ozonation of the azo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and indigo was investigated using a bubble column at semi-batch conditions. The results were analyzed by applying film theory and surface renewal theory. The ozonation of both dyes was so fast that an instantaneous reaction directly at the bubble surface can be assumed. The ozone balance in the gas phase was used to determine the volumetric mass transfer coefficient k_La and the enhancement factor E. Besides the measured concentrations, temperature and pressure only the Henry coefficient was required for the determination of k_La and E. By varying the ozone inlet and the dye concentration the reaction regime was identified. The Hatta number Ha which requires uncertain parameters did not have to be determined.     

Investigations on Ozone Contacting by Ceramic Membranes

Ozone transfer was investigated using various oxide ceramic membranes and different process parameters. The ozone mass transfer per contactor volume through hydrophilic membranes was in the same order of magnitude as conventional bubble contacting. The pressure differential between the gaseous and aqueous phase as well as the membrane material's microstructure was found to widely determine the transfer rate. A hydrophobic coating of the membrane surface led to a considerable increase in transfer. Bubble free ozone contacting with porous ceramic is a possible approach for the ozonation of problematic wastewaters susceptible of excessive foam formation.     

旋转填充床基础研究及工业应用进展

超重力技术突破了地球重力场的限制,是强化传递和混合过程的一项突破性新技术,其核心装置是旋转填充床。回顾前人几十年的不懈努力,旋转填充床已经在基础研究和工业应用中取得了长足的进展。本文主要介绍了旋转填充床的基础研究最新成果及工业应用案例。阐述了旋转填充床填料的种类和特点以及旋转填充床内部流体流动、传质与微观混合的研究进展,研究了不同填料的优缺点及适用环境,指出了各种可视化技术手段的优势及局限性,并提出了进一步强化旋转填充床的传质和微观混合性能的新思路。应用研究综述了近些年来旋转填充床的工业应用案例,包括高端化学品制造、海洋天然气净化、纳米材料制备、环保等领域,并展望了旋转填充床的工业应用前景。     

折流式旋转床的流体力学行为(英文)

As a high gravity (HIGEE) unit, the rotating packed bed (RPB) uses centrifugal force to intensify mass transfer. Zigzag rotating bed (RZB) is a new type of HIGEE unit. The rotor of RZB consists of stationary discs and rotating discs, forming zigzag channels for liquid-gas flow and mass transfer. As in RPBs, some hydrodynamic behavior in RZB is interesting but no satisfactory explanation. In this study, the experiments were carried on in a RZB unit with a rotor of 600 mm in diameter using air-water system. The gas pressure drop and power consumption were measured with two types of rotating baffle for RZB rotors, one with perforations and another with shutter openings. The circumferential velocities of gas were measured with a five-hole Pitot probe. The pressure drop decreased rapidly when the liquid was introduced to the rotor, because the circumferential velocity of the liquid droplets was lower than that of the gas, reducing the circumferential velocity of gas and the centrifugal pressure drop. The power consumption decreased first when the gas entered the RZB rotor, because the gas with higher circumferential velocity facilitates the rotation of baffles.     

Efficient capture of carbon dioxide with novel mass‐transfer intensification device using ionic liquids

A novel mass‐transfer intensified approach for CO₂ capture with ionic liquids (ILs) using rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor was presented. This new approach combined the advantages of RPB as a high mass‐transfer intensification device for viscous system and IL as a novel, environmentally benign CO₂ capture media with high thermal stability and extremely low volatility. Amino‐functionalized IL (2‐hydroxyethyl)‐trimethyl‐ammonium (S)?2‐pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid salt ([Choline][Pro]) was synthesized to perform experimental examination of CO₂ capture by chemical absorption. In RPB, it took only 0.2 s to reach 0.2 mol CO₂/mol IL at 293 K, indicating that RPB was kinetically favorable to absorption of CO₂ in IL because of its efficient mass‐transfer intensification. The effects of operation parameters on CO₂ removal efficiency and IL absorbent capacity were studied. In addition, a model based on penetration theory was proposed to explore the mechanism of gas–liquid mass transfer of ILs system in RPB. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2957–2965, 2013