气升式环流反应器内传质行为的分析与测量

1 INTRODUCTION Airlift loop reactors have emerged as one of the most promising devices in chemical, biochemical and environmental engineering operations. Its main ad-vantages over conventional reactors include excellent contact among different phases, ease of removal or replenishment of particles, and high heat and mass transfer rates[1]. High gas-liquid contacting area and favorable flow pattern are the attractive features of this type of three-phase contactors. Typical processes that ca…     

Effect of Surface Tension on Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer Coefficient in Airlift Reactors

The hydrodynamics and volumetric mass transfer coefficient play important roles in the design and scale-up of airlift reactors. The effect of surface tension on hydrodynamics and volumetric mass transfer coefficient in internal loop airlift reactors was investigated. With reduction of the surface tension of the fluid, the hydrodynamic parameters raised, namely, gas phase holdup, flow regime transition point, and interfacial area, whereas the bubble diameter as well as the liquid velocity decreased and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient increased. Empirical correlations are proposed for gas-phase holdup and volumetric mass transfer coefficient in terms of dimensionless numbers and can be applied in the design of airlift reactors.     

Diluted alcohol solutions in bubble columns and draft tube airlift reactors with a single orifice sparger: experiments and simple correlations

BACKGROUND: Bubble columns (BCs) and airlift reactors (ALRs) have important applications as bioreactors, chemical reactors and as contactors in waste‐water treatment. The liquid phase properties in these reactors significantly influence the main hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics. Dilute alcohol solutions can be used to simulate real industrial systems in bioreactors. However, only a few research studies have considered such systems. The aim of this paper is to broaden the existing experimental data related to the influence of alcohol addition on the main characteristics of draft tube airlift reactors (DT‐ALRs), and to propose simple correlations for their prediction. RESULTS: New experiments were conducted in a DT‐ALR with a single orifice sparger, and with dilute aliphatic alcohol solutions from methanol to n‐octanol. Also, simple correlations were developed to predict the gas hold‐up and volumetric mass transfer coefficients in BCs and DT‐ALRs, but also the downcomer liquid velocity and liquid circulation time DT‐ALRs with single orifice sparger and dilute alcohol solutions. The proposed correlations included, in addition to the superficial gas velocity, the surface tension gradient as the only factor to characterize the liquid phase. CONCLUSIONS: General conclusion can be made that the gas holdup increased, but the downcomer liquid velocity decreased in a DT‐ALR, with increase in surface tension gradient of the alcohol solutions. Also, very good agreement was achieved between experimental and calculated data, by applying the developed correlations, with relative average errors less than 5%, except for gas hold‐up, where it was in the range 8–32%. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

SPLIT-CHANNEL RECTANGULAR AIRLIFT REACTORS:ENHANCEMENT OF PERFORMANCE BY GEOMETRIC MODIFICATIONS

Two geometric configurations of gas-liquid separators were used in split-channel airlift reactors (0.1 m3 liquid volume; riser-to-downcomer cross-sectional area = 1.45; aspect ratio = 3.6) to test the effect of geometry on hydrodynamic performance and oxygen transfer behaviour. One of the configurations consisted of the basic internal-loop airlift head region without added features; the other had a 45° -inclined prism attached to the upper edge of the splitting baffle. For otherwise fixed conditions, the design of gas-liquid separators affected the induced liquid circulation velocity, the depth of penetration of the bubbles in the downcomer, the gas holdup in the downcomer and the mixing time. The overall volumetric gas-liquid oxygen transfer coefficient was not affected. The gas holdup in the riser was only marginally affected by the design of the separator; however, the relationship between the riser and the downcomer holdups was sensitive to separator configuration. Incorporation of the prism in the basic airlift configuration enhanced gas-liquid separation so much so that up to 30% reduction in the downcomer gas holdup could be obtained relative to the unmodified geometry. The impact of the separator designs on hydrodynamic behaviour could be explained as emanating from a combination of the gas-liquid separating ability of the design and its hydraulic resistance.     

Characterization of an airlift reactor with helical flow promoters

The helical flow promoter (HFP), inserted in the downcomer of an airlift reactor (ALR), generates a helical flow pattern in the circulating gas–liquid (solid) mixture. Data on the fluidization capacity, gas holdup, liquid velocity and mass transfer rate for two- and three-phase systems with two different carboxymethylcellulose solutions collected in a 58 L ALR-HFP are presented and compared with those of common pneumatic reactors. Generally, an increasing solid concentration led to a slight decrease in gas holdup and liquid velocity but to a considerable decrease in mass transfer rates. Insertion of HFPs produced a significantly enhanced fluidization capacity of solid particles compared to the common systems.     

Hydrodynamics and mass transfer study of aliphatic alcohols in airlift reactors

Gas holdup and gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient were considered in an external airlift reactor. Air was sparged through some aliphatic alcohols (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol) with different concentrations (0–1%, v/v). It was observed that gas holdup and mass transfer coefficient increased with increasing the number of carbons in alcohols. Furthermore, an increment in alcohols concentration increased gas holdup and mass transfer coefficient. The same behavior was observed in external and internal loop airlift reactors although gas holdup and mass transfer coefficient values were less than those of internal airlift reactor. According to the experiments, two correlations for gas holdup and mass transfer were developed.     

Investigations in an external-loop airlift photobioreactor with annular light chambers and swirling flow

Photosynthetic microorganisms could serve as valuable compounds, but also for environmental applications. Their production under controlled conditions implies to design specific reactors, named photobioreactors, in which light supply is the main constraint. This paper was devoted to an original external-loop airlift photobioreactor (PBR) with annular light chambers in which a swirling motion was induced. The aim was to characterize this novel geometrical configuration in terms of gas-liquid hydrodynamics, and to test its potentiality for algal cultures. This PBR consisted of two identical columns connected by flanges defining tangential inlets, each column being made of two transparent concentric tubes (6 L in liquid volume, 50 m⁻¹ in specific illuminated area). Firstly, the global flow characteristics (circulation and mixing times) were determined by a tracer method and modelled by an axial dispersed plug flow with complete recirculation (Péclet number). By means of a double optical probe, both local and global time-averaged parameters of the gas phase were measured, namely void fraction, bubble velocity, frequency and size. The gas-liquid mass transfer were also characterized, in tap water and in culture medium, by measuring overall volumetric mass transfer coefficients. In a second time, cultures of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were run in batch mode. The variations of biomass concentration and pigment content with time from inoculation were successfully obtained. All these findings highlighted: (i) some significant differences in terms of gas-liquid hydrodynamics between the present PBR and the usual airlift systems, (ii) the interest of this configuration for algal cultures, even if complementary studies and technological improvements are still required for definitively validating its scale-up.     

Study of Hydrodynamics,Mixing and Gas‐Liquid Mass Transfer in a Split‐Rectangular Airlift Reactor

Global hydrodynamic characteristics, liquid mixing and gas‐liquid mass transfer for a 63 L split‐rectangular airlift reactor were studied. Correlations for gas holdup and overall liquid circulation velocity were derived for the air‐water system as a function of the specific power input; these were compared to data and correlations for reactor volumes between 4.7 L and 4600 L. A partial recirculation of small bubbles in the riser was observed when U_gr > 0.03 m/s, which was attributed to the use of a single‐orifice nozzle as the gas phase distributor. The dimensionless mixing time and the overall axial dispersion coefficient were nearly constant for the range of gas flow rates studied. However, values of K_L/d_B were greater than those reported in previous studies and this is caused by the partial recirculation of the gas phase in the riser. While scale effects remain slight, the use of a gas distributor favouring this partial recirculation seems adequate for mass transfer in split‐rectangular airlift reactors.     

INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF LASER-DOPPLER VELOCIMETRY IN TWO-PHASE BUBBLY FLOWS

Understanding the dynamic phenomena of viability loss of shear sensitive cells and bubble breakage and coalescence within airlift reactors requires knowledge of local, liquid-phase hydrodynamics. The laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV) is a non-invasive instrument which may be used to obtain this information. Experimental procedures and software were developed to detect and measure Doppler bursts in two-phase flow in a split-cylinder airlift reactor. Off-line analysis of the data indicated a detection rate approximately one order of magnitude greater than that observed using an available commercial frequency tracker. Approximately 400 to 500 observations are needed for the ensemble mean to characterize the local mean velocity to within ±5% for a superficial gas velocity of 10.4 cm/s, the highest superficial gas velocity used in these studies. The limitations, prospects, and signal-processing options for LDV in this application are also discussed     

Circulation liquid velocity,gas holdup and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient in external-loop airlift reactors

The effects of the horizontal connection length (0.1 ± L_e ± 0.5 m), the cross-sectional area ratio of downcomer-to-riser (0.11 ± A_d/A_r± 0.53), and the superficial gas velocity on gas phase holdups in the riser and downcomer were studied. The circulation liquid velocity, the mixing performance and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient in the external-loop airlift reactors were also measured. The horizontal connection length and A_d/A_r were major parameters which strongly affected the performance of external-loop airlift reactors. Useful correlations in the external-loop airlift reactors were obtained for gas holdups, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, the circulation liquid velocity, and the mixing time.     

Effect of aeration mode on the performance of center‐ and annulus‐rising internal‐loop airlift bioreactors

Extensive experimental studies on internal‐loop airlift reactors, including center‐rising (CR‐ALR) and annulus‐rising airlift reactors (AR‐ALR), have been reported in the literature. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the effects of the aeration mode on the local hydrodynamics remain an under‐investigated area, especially for complex culture media. At present, it is difficult to select the best aeration mode for ALRs due to limited understanding of the pros and cons of the different modes. This study presents a detailed quantitative investigation of the overall gas holdup, local liquid velocity, liquid circulation time, shear rate distribution, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient in center‐ and annulus‐rising airlift bioreactors to better understand the effect of aeration mode on airlift bioreactor performance. Particle image velocimetry is employed to conduct local measurements. The results show that the overall gas holdup, liquid circulation time, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient are larger in the AR‐ALR than in the CR‐ALR. The local liquid velocity circulating into the downcomer of the AR‐ALR, which contributes to bubble entrainment and therefore to overall gas holdup, is higher than in the CR‐ALR. It was observed that a large circulation loop formed in the CR‐ALR, whereas two counter‐looping circulation cells appeared in the AR‐ALR. It was also found that the shear rate field was more uniform in the AR‐ALR than the CR‐ALR although the shear rates were similar in magnitude.     

HYDRODYNAMIC STUDIES ON LOOP REACTORS(Ⅱ) AIRLIFT LOOP REACTORS

Hydrodynamics of airlift loop reactors was studied in detail experimentally andtheoretically.An internal airlift loop reactor was designed and set up for this study.An instru-mentation system based on the electrochemical method was adapted to measure local gas holdup andliquid velocity.A two-dimensional two-fluid model based on the first principles was established andimplemented to model the flow in airlift loop reactors.A corrected turbulent model was incorporatedin the simulation.The shear rate,shear stress and energy dissipation are evaluated from the flowfield.The numerically predicted results and experimental data obtained from this work as well as thesereported in literature are analyzed and compared.     

Determination of local phase holdups in airlift reactors by means of time-domain-reflectometry

Airlift loop reactors are useful in many chemical and biotechnological processes where three phase reaction systems are required. One example is biological waste water treatment. In order to enhance biological reaction rates it is often useful to immobilize the bacteria on carrier particles. Knowledge of solid distribution and local gas holdup in those systems is important for calculation of mass and energy transfer or reaction kinetics. For this reason a method has been developed which enables to measure such local phase holdups. The measuring system consists of a time-domain-reflectometry (TDR)-instrument in combination with a pressure difference meter. The method has successfully been applied to determine local axial gas and solid distribution in internal airlift loop reactors, filled with a three phase system consisting of water, air, and polymer particles.     

有无静态混合器时的机械搅拌气升式环流反应器传递特性研究

The mechanically stirred internal loop airlift reactors equipped with or without static mixers are devised for intensification of gas-liquid mass transfer rate. The influences of superficial gas velocity, agitation or static mixers on gas hold-up, mixing time, liquid circulating velocity and volumetric mass transfer coefficient have been investigated with tap water and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) aqueous solution. The experimental results indicate that mechanical agitation is more efficacious than static mixer in highly viscous media for improving mass transfer in airlift reactors. The empirical correlation of volumetric mass transfer coefficient with apparent viscosity, and energy consumption for mechanical agitation and aeration is developed.     

THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH INTENSITY GAS-LIQUID JET REACTORS

A novel type of gas-liquid contactor was researched and developed to enhance phase mixing. These high velocity impinging stream reactors are characterised by small reactor volumes supplied with nozzles, which are directed towards each other. The gas and liquid feed streams are jetted through the nozzles into the reactor volume, resulting in a highly turbulent mixture of the phases. Under these enhanced mixing conditions, mass transfer rates are increased dramatically. A mechanism for bubble formation and breakup in gas —liquid jet reactors. operated in the bubble mode, is proposed and a design philosophy of such reactors is also formulated.     

Macro-mixing in a draft-tube airlift bioreactor

Airlift reactors are pneumatically agitated reactors that have been widely used in industries, particularly in bioprocesses. Extensive studies about the flow dynamics in airlift column reactors exist; however, most of these studies have focused on global hydrodynamic parameters using conventional techniques. The local flow characteristics, such as the macro-mixing and the turbulence intensity, are crucial for reliable design and scale-up, and they remain unclear. This work focuses on studying the macro-mixing in a draft-tube airlift bioreactor utilizing an advanced flow dynamic measurement technique, computer automated radioactive particle tracking (CARPT). True residence time distribution analyses for the overall column as well as individual regions, i.e., the riser, the downcomer, the top, and the bottom regions, are conducted for the first time based on CARPT measured particle trajectories. The effects of the superficial gas velocity and the top/bottom clearances on the macro-mixing are also discussed. The results suggest that although the flow structures in the overall draft-tube column reactor, as well as in the riser and in the downcomer, are close to plug flows, bypassing and stagnancy exist in the top and the bottom regions.     

ESTIMATION OF EFFECTIVE SHEAR RATE FOR AERATED NON-NEWTONIAN LIQUIDS IN AIRLIFT BIOREACTOR”“

Effective shear rate is one of the indispensable parameters for the design of aerobic fermentors using a viscous non-Newtonian system. The estimation of effective shear rate in airlift loop bioreactors has been investigated with liquid circulation velocity. An empirical correlation of effective shear rate in airlift loop reactors is proposed.

γ_eπ= 3.26-3.51 ; 10²U_G + 1.48 10⁴U²_G

It is found that the effective shear rate is lower in airlift reactors than in bubble columns. This equation can be used for the cultivation of cells sensitive to shear stress.     

MULTIPHASE HYDRODYNAMICS AND SOLID-LIQUID MASS TRANSPORT IN AN EXTERNAL-LOOP AIRLIFT REACTOR—A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The solid-solid mass transfer performance of an external-loop airlift reactor was measured by dissolution of benzoic acid coated on nylon-6 particles, and the hydrodynamics of the gas-liquid-solid multiphase system in the airlift reactor were investigated. The solid-liquid system was designed to simulate the micro-carrier culture of animal cells, and some typical suspensions of immobilized enzyme particles.

The solid-liquid mass transfer coefficient remained constant below a superficial air velocity of 0.04 ms^-1 for the particles examined, but increased rapidly with further increase in gas velocity. Solids loading (0.3-3.5% w/w) did not affect the mass transfer coefficient in turbulent flow.

The mass transfer coefficient was correlated with energy dissipation rate in the airlift reactor. The mass transfer coefficient in stirred vessels, bubble columns, fluidized beds, and airlift reactors was compared.

Over an energy dissipation Reynolds number of 4-400, the solid-liquid mass transfer coefficient in the airlift device was comparable to that obtainable in fluidized beds. The performance of the airlift was distinctly superior to that of bubble columns and stirred tanks.     

Superior mixing performance for airlift reactor with a net draft tube

A modified networks-of-zones model is developed to investigate the mixing performance of three tower-type bioreactors, namely airlift, bubble column and net column (a short notation for airlift reactor with a net draft tube) reactors. A key parameter β, that characterizes the interaction intensity between the neighboring uprising and down-coming streams, is identified to play a decisive role in determining the mixing characteristics of the three tower-type reactors. The concentration dynamics and mixing behaviors of the three types of reactor are studied with a maximum non-zero eigenvalue analysis (the slowest mode analysis). The model predictions are validated with experiments of heat mixing. The superior mixing performance of the net column reactor over the airlift and bubble column reactors is clearly revealed with the present model and is experimentally verified, and can be linked to an optimum mass transfer between the neighboring uprising and down-coming streams, provided by the net draft tube. This optimum mass transfer is a direct result of a balanced flow distribution in the axial and radial directions.