Effect of a gas–liquid separator on the hydrodynamics and circulation flow regimes in internal‐loop airlift reactors

The role of the gas–liquid separator on hydrodynamic characteristics in an internal‐loop airlift reactor (ALR) was investigated. Both gas holdup and liquid velocity were measured in a 30 dm³ airlift reactor with two different head configurations: with and without an enlarged separator. A magnetic tracer method using a neutrally buoyant magnetic particle as flowfollower was used to measure the liquid velocity in all sections of the internal‐loop airlift reactor. Average liquid circulation velocities in the main parts of the ALR were compared for both reactor configurations. At low air flow rates the separator had no influence on gas holdup, circulation velocity and intensity of turbulence in the downcomer and separator. At higher superficial air velocities, however, the separator design had a decisive effect on the hydrodynamic parameters in the downcomer and the separator. On the other hand, the gas holdup in the riser was only slightly influenced by the separator configuration in the whole range of air flow. Circulation flow regimes, characterising the behaviour of bubbles in the downcomer, were identified and the effect of the separator on these regimes was assessed. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Axial dispersion and oxygen transfer in the transition from bubble column to airlift-loop reactor

Axial dispersion and oxygen transfer were investigated in a bubble column (BC) with a circulation loop. A butterfly valve, situated at the bottom of the loop enabled the above-mentioned physical characteristics in the transition regime between typical airlift-loop-reactor (ALR) flow and BC flow to be studied. The Bodenstein number was found to decrease when the liquid velocity was reduced, implicating a less established plug-flow character. The number of circulations required to achieve complete mixing in the reactor was diminished if the liquid circulation was hampered and appeared to be proportional to the Bodenstein number. The volumetric oxygen-transfer coefficient was estimated by an ideally stirred-tank-reactor (STR) model and a plug-flow model. The STR model yielded reliable results for the whole range of operation while the plug-flow model only appeared to be appropriate for the ALR operation mode. The k_La values obtained were included in a generalized correlation for the transition flow regime and were found to increase gradually when the circulation velocity was reduced.     

Effects of viscosity and relaxation time on the hydrodynamics of gas–liquid systems

Effects of liquid properties on the hydrodynamics of gas–liquid systems were investigated in lab-scale bubble column (BC) and internal loop airlift (ILA). Alginate solutions, a glycerol solution and a Boger fluid were adopted to separately address the effects of viscosity and of surface tension for Newtonian fluids, and the effects of relaxation time for non-Newtonian fluid characterized by approximately constant viscosity (low shear thinning). Hydrodynamic regimes were characterized in terms of overall gas holdup, gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient, drift-flux and liquid circulation velocity. The superficial gas velocities at the transition between hydrodynamic regimes (homogenous regime–vortical-spiral regime–heterogeneous regime) as a function the liquid viscosity was characterized by a maximum. The same behavior was observed for the maximum stable gas holdup and gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient in BC. Viscosity enhances homogeneous regime stability for μ<4.25 mPa s, in BC, and μ<7.68 mPa s, in ILA. For non-Newtonian fluids the transition velocity increases with liquid elasticity. The stabilization mechanism related to the relaxation time of Boger fluids has been discussed.     

多室气升式环流反应器流动特性的数值模拟

在空气-水两相多室气升式环流反应器（MALR）中,采用欧拉欧拉两相流模型对扇形反应室内气液两相流动过程进行了数值模拟研究,考察了上升室的气含率、液体速度随表观气速的变化,最后用实验数据对模拟结果进行了验证.结果表明,某一上升室气含率受该室表观气速的影响较大,与另一上升室表观气速的影响较小;循环液体与上升室流体流动型式有关;气含率和循环液速的模拟值与实验值的平均相对误差分别为5.36％和8.28％;说明了应用数值模拟方法研究MALR流动特性的可行性.     

Hydrodynamic Modelling of Internal Loop Airlift Reactor Applying Drift‐Flux Model in Bubbly Flow Regime

A new model for the liquid circulation rates in airlift reactor (ALR) is presented. The model is based on the energy balance for the flow loop (riser, turn riser‐downcomer, downcomer, and turn downcomer‐riser) coupled with a drift flux theory of two‐phase flow gas‐liquid system, considering a bubbly flow regime. The predicted values of the liquid circulation rates by the developed model are compared with experimental results performed in a 22 dm³ internal loop airlift reactor and with the results obtained in the literatures. The proposed model predicted the experimental results very well. Slip velocity relationship based on the drift flux model was proposed; including the gas holdup, bubble size and the liquid physical properties. The predicted slip velocity was similar to that obtained from the literature. The study revealed that appropriate arrangements of internal bioreactor parts can positively influence the liquid circulation velocity at the same energy consumption. The proposed models are useful in the design; scale up and characterization of the internal loop airlift reactors, and provides a direct method of predicting hydrodynamic behaviour in gas‐liquid airlift reactors.     

气升式内环流反应器内局部气含率径向分布

The local gas holdup profiles in an internal-loop airlift reactor were studied experimentally by using dual electrical conductivity probe under different conditions,including superficial velocity,surface tension and liquid viscosity.The results showed that the radial gas holdup profile has a parabolic shape,which was consistent with the empirical model of Luo.Local gas holdup distribution parameters were obviously influenced by flow regime and almost remained unchanged in the same flow regime.In the gas distributor region,the profiles were steeper in the homogenous flow regime than in the heterogeneous flow regime.However,in the stable region,there was an inverse change trend in two flow regimes.The increase of surface tension,superficial velocity and liquid viscosity made the profile of local gas holdup steeper in two flow regimes.     

Bubble column research in Japan

Many experimental studies on the bubble column have been reported by Japanese researchers since around 1960. They include studies of bubble behaviour, bubble size distribution, transition from the homogeneous bubbly flow regime to the heterogeneous liquid circulation regime, liquid velocity distribution, longitudinal liquid mixing, hydrodynamic modelling, the gas holdup, and the volumetric coefficient of gas-liquid mass tranfer k_La. Studies covered various modified bubble columns, such as the airlift reactor with an external or internal loop, the packed bubble column, and others. Performance of three-phase bubble columns, which deal with suspensions or emulsions, and their use as bioreactors or chemical reactors were also studied.     

螺旋气升式内环流反应器流动特性

以水和空气两相系统为研究对象,建立螺旋气升式内环流反应器冷模实验装置,采用压差法测定导流筒升流区气含率,用电导法分别实测了升流区液相速度和反应器混合时间,研究螺旋气升式内环流反应器的流动特性,并与传统气升式内环流反应器的流动特性进行对比研究。结果表明,加螺环后反应器气含率明显增加,平均增幅为20%,升流区液相表观速度减小,混合时间增加。     

大颗粒三相环隙气升式环流反应器流体力学行为

研究了大颗粒体系气升式环流反应器的流体力学行为,考察了表观气速和颗粒质量分数对床层膨胀高度、循环液速和固含率分布的影响。实验结果表明,按颗粒的运动状态不同可以将反应器内的流动分为3个区域,即固定床区域、膨胀床区域和循环床区域,各流动区域内的流动行为存在显著差异。随着颗粒质量浓度的增大,起始流化气速和最小循环气速均显著增大。基于三相流化床的流化模型和环流反应器的特点建立了相应的数学模型,对大颗粒三相气升式环流反应器的起始流化气速和最小循环气速进行了预测,模型预测值与实验测量值吻合良好。     

Solid effects on hydrodynamics and heat transfer in an external loop airlift reactor

The effect of a solid presence on global hydrodynamic parameters and heat transfer in an external loop airlift reactor has been experimentally investigated. Results obtained in both two- and three-phase flow are presented in this study. Two different external loop airlift reactor sizes have been used and local hydrodynamic characteristics including local gas hold-up and bubble velocity have been obtained in two-phase flow. Optical and ultrasound probes have been used to obtain this information, respectively. It was found that an increase of solid hold-up leads to a decrease of liquid velocity and heat transfer coefficient. Measured in a two- and three-phase reactor using a horizontal-heating probe, a correlation of the average gas hold-up and heat transfer coefficient is proposed. Correlation parameters are identified in homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes, which have been derived from the gas slip velocity concept. The experimental liquid velocity and gas hold-up in the riser have been represented in a satisfactory way by a hydrodynamic model, either in the absence or in the presence of solid particles.     

Two regime transitions to pseudo-homogeneous and heterogeneous bubble flow for various liquid viscosities

The gas hold-up variation and regime transition were investigated with different liquid viscosities ranging from 1.0 mPa s to 31.5 mPa s using a 0.15-m-in-diameter bubble column. In contrast to common observations, the gas hold-up graph with the superficial gas velocity could be categorized into three flow regimes: homogeneous, pseudo-homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes. The formation of large bubbles caused a transition from the homogeneous to the pseudo-homogenous flow regime, in which large bubbles rose vertically without oscillatory turbulence. According to the results from the dynamic gas disengagement (DGD) technique, large bubbles began to form at the transition superficial gas velocity to the pseudo-homogeneous flow regime. The transition to a heterogeneous flow regime was initiated by the turbulent movement of large bubbles. The transition superficial velocities to pseudo-homogeneous and heterogeneous flow regimes, u_t1 and u_t2, decreased with increasing liquid viscosity below a critical viscosity and converged to a certain value above that viscosity. However, the correlations from the literatures could not make a reasonable estimation of the transition superficial velocities because they did not consider the possible transition to a pseudo-homogeneous flow regime. Therefore, the two transition points should be predicted separately.     

气泡循环流动型膜生物反应器流体力学特性研究

以气升式环流反应器和膜生物反应器为基础,提出气泡循环流动型膜生物反应器的概念.利用气液循环流动减缓膜污染,通过充压渗透的操作方式,降低水处理能耗与设备投资.实验研究了下降管内中空纤维膜填充率对反应器的平均气含率、循环液速等流体力学性能的影响,使用模拟体系考察膜分离性能. 研究结果表明:循环流动的气液两相能够明显缓解膜污染,提高膜渗透通量;利用充压渗透的操作方式可以实现膜分离过程,同时加压操作会导致平均气含率减小,循环液速降低.在理论分析基础上,导出平均气含率、循环液速随操作气速和压强的变化关系.     

Hydrodynamics and bubble behaviour in a three-phase two-stage internal loop airlift reactor

Local hydrodynamics of a gas–liquid–solid system,such as bubble circulation regime,gas holdup,liquid velocity and axial profile of solid concentration,are studied in a two-stage internal loop airlift reactor.Empirical correlations for gas holdup and liquid velocity are proposed to ease the reactor design and scale-up.Different bubble circulation regimes were displayed in the first(lower) and second(upper) stages.Increasing superficial gas velocity and solid loading can promote regime transition of the second stage,and the gas holdup of the second stage is higher than that of the lower stage.In addition,the effects of solid loading on bubble behaviour are experimentally investigated for each stage.It is found that bubble size in the downcomer decreases with the presence of solid particles,and bubble size distribution widens under higher superficial gas velocity and lower solid loading.     

Motion of a magnetic flow follower in two‐phase flow — application to the study of airlift reactor hydrodynamics

A low‐cost and simple magnetic particle tracer method was adapted to characterize the hydrodynamic behavior of an internal‐ and an external‐loop airlift reactor (ALR). The residence time distribution of three magnetic particles differing in diameter (5.5, 11.0 and 21.2 mm) and with a density very close to that of water was measured in individual reactor sections. The measured data were analyzed and used to determine the velocity of the liquid phase. Validation of the experimental results for liquid velocity was done by means of the data obtained by an independent reference method. Furthermore, analysis of the differences found in the settling velocity of the particle in single‐liquid and gas‐liquid phases was carried out, using a simplified 3D momentum transfer model. The model considering particle‐bubble interaction forces resulting from changes in the liquid velocity field due to bubble motion was able to predict satisfactorily the increase in the particle settling velocity in the homogeneous bubbly regime. The effective drag coefficient in two‐phase flow was found to be directly dependent on particle Reynolds number to the power of ? 2 but independent of gas flow‐rate for all particle diameters studied. Based on the experimental and theoretical investigations, the valid exact formulation of the effective buoyancy force necessary for the calculation of the correct particle settling velocity in two‐phase flow was done. In addition, recommendations concerning the use of flow‐following particles in internal‐loop ALRs for liquid velocity measurements are presented. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structure of trickle-to-pulse flow regime transition and pulse dynamics at elevated temperature in slow-mode cyclic operation

The effects of temperature and pressure on the structure of the trickle-to-pulse flow regime transition in slow-mode cyclic operation in trickle-bed reactors were reported. The relationship between liquid holdup and liquid velocities at the trickle-to-pulse flow transition in cyclic operation, the shock wave behavior as a function of bed depth, as well as the pulsing flow regime properties were investigated for Newtonian (air-water) and non-Newtonian (air-0.25% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)) liquids. At a given temperature, the breakthrough, plateau and decay times of the shock wave were found to decrease with bed depth. The pulse velocity and pulse frequency for pulsing flow regime both in cyclic operation and in natural pulsing (constant-throughput operation) were observed to increase with temperature. However, increasing the reactor pressure led to increased pulse frequency and decreased pulse velocity. Analysis of the transition liquid holdups for natural pulse flow and cyclic operation revealed that the liquid holdup decreased with temperature and pressure. The transition liquid holdups and superficial liquid pulse velocities in symmetric peak-base cyclic operation surpassed those in constant-throughput operation for given temperature, pressure and gas velocity, giving rise to wider trickle flow regime area in cyclic operation. The behavior of both Newtonian and power-law non-Newtonian fluids was similar regarding the effect of temperature, pressure and gas velocity.     

反应器类型对流动影响的数值模拟

在油-氢气体系中使用欧拉-欧拉双流体模型考察了温度703.15 K和压力11 MPa下气升式环流反应器和鼓泡床反应器对气液两相流动的影响. 结果表明,环流反应器中气含率和轴向液速沿导流筒径向存在突增现象,环流反应器中气含率在径向0~0.5和0.75~1时明显大于鼓泡床反应器,在径向0.5~0.75处前者的平均气含率比后者高约6%;环流反应器中上升管内环流液速明显大于鼓泡床反应器,且在下降区有所增强,环流反应器平均轴向液速比鼓泡床反应器高约21%;反应器尺寸较小时环流反应器和鼓泡床反应器的流动特性相差不大,反应器体积放大过程中前者的流动特性优于后者的趋势逐渐明显.     

滴流床中持液量及流型转变的一维流体力学模型

针对滴流床中均匀球形填料,在颗粒尺度上分析气液两相在颗粒空隙中的流动.从基本的流体力学方程出发,建立了微观流动模型,求得滴流区液相在填料表面上的分布,进而计算液相总持液量,并通过对液膜波的稳定性分析,提出了滴流区向脉动区转变的判据.模型与实验结果及文献值作了比较,符合程度较好.     

An experimental investigation of gas-liquid two-phase flow in single microchannel contactors

This paper describes two-phase flow pattern and pressure drop characteristics during the absorption of CO₂ into water in three horizontal microchannel contactors which consist of Y-type rectangular microchannels having hydraulic diameters of 667, 400 and , respectively. With the help of a high-speed photography system, flow patterns such as bubbly flow, slug flow (including two sub-regimes, Taylor flow and unstable slug flow), slug-annular flow, churn flow and annular flow were observed in these microchannels. The applicability of the currently available correlations for describing flow pattern transitions in microchannels has been examined. Generally, the predicting performance of these correlations deteriorates as the channel diameter further reduces. Toward solving this discrepancy, an empirical correlation based on the superficial Weber numbers was developed to interpret the transition from Taylor flow to unstable slug flow in three microchannels. Taylor bubble formation process in microchannels was found to be in the squeezing regime at lower superficial liquid velocities (Ca ranging from 0.0019 to 0.029) while the transition to the dripping regime was observed at the highest superficial liquid velocity of 1.0 m/s. Lengths of Taylor bubbles formed in the squeezing regime can be well represented by the scaling relation proposed by Garstecki et al. [Formation of droplets and bubbles in a microfluidic T-junction—scaling and mechanism of break-up. Lab on a Chip, 6, 437-446]. For flow patterns including slug-annular flow, annular flow and churn flow, a simple analysis based on the separated flow model has been performed in order to reveal the observed effect of the superficial liquid velocity on two-phase frictional multiplier in the present microchannels. Then, reasonable correlations for the prediction of two-phase frictional pressure drop under these flow patterns were suggested.     

PORE SCALE MODEL FOR FLOW REGIME TRANSITION IN A TRICKLE BED REACTOR

The hydrodynamic modeling of gas-liquid cocurrent downflow through a trickle bed reactor based on pore scale is presented. The pore scale hydrodynamic is related to the macroscopic scale flow parameters. The two-phase flow at pore level channel is modeled similar to annular two-phase flow in tubes. Using the film instability due to shear by the gas at the pore level channel, the transition criterion for the trickle flow to pulse flow regime is obtained. The model predictions agree with the published data. A model for transition from partial wetting to complete wetting in trickling flow is presented. The model predictions are in agreement with previous models. The model indicates better wetting of the smaller size packing for the same liquid mass flux.     

PORE SCALE MODEL FOR FLOW REGIME TRANSITION IN A TRICKLE BED REACTOR

The hydrodynamic modeling of gas-liquid cocurrent downflow through a trickle bed reactor based on pore scale is presented. The pore scale hydrodynamic is related to the macroscopic scale flow parameters. The two-phase flow at pore level channel is modeled similar to annular two-phase flow in tubes. Using the film instability due to shear by the gas at the pore level channel, the transition criterion for the trickle flow to pulse flow regime is obtained. The model predictions agree with the published data. A model for transition from partial wetting to complete wetting in trickling flow is presented. The model predictions are in agreement with previous models. The model indicates better wetting of the smaller size packing for the same liquid mass flux.