Spatial Evolution of CO2-Contaminated Water Bubble Flows in a Vertical Pipe

Experiments on CO₂-water bubble flows in a vertical pipe were carried out for clean water, an aqueous NaCl solution, and an aqueous NaCl solution with 1-octanol to obtain databases of spatial evolutions of the flows with the impurities. Mass transfer correlations for bubbles in these liquids were implemented into a one-way bubble tracking method. Numerical predictions of the spatial evolution, e.g., transition from a bubbly to a slug flow, depending on the impurities agreed well with the experiments.     

Oxygen transfer and hydrodynamics in three-phase inverse fluidized beds

Experiments were performed at ambient temperature and pressure in a 152 mm inner diameter column with air, tap water or 0.5% wt. aqueous ethanol solution, and polypropylene particles. An increase in liquid velocity and solids loading, and the presence of a surfactant reduces the gas velocity required to reach full bed expansion, which is delimited by the gas sparger. With an increase in gas velocity, solids holdups remain constant after full bed expansion, liquid holdups increase to a maximum and then decrease and gas holdups continuously increase. The addition of ethanol greatly increases the gas holdups leading to significant reductions in liquid holdups. The volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient, k_La, increases with increasing gas velocity but does not change significantly with liquid velocity. There are complex interaction effects between solids loading and surfactants as the values of k_La in the aqueous ethanol solution were greater than those in water when particles were present and smaller without particles. k_La data in water were found to be proportional to gas holdup whereas for the ethanol solution this proportionality constant first decreased with increasing gas velocity to eventually stabilize at a value smaller than for water.     

Gas-side mass transfer coefficients in a falling film microreactor

Gas–liquid mass transfer in a falling film microreactor (FFMR) with 29 microchannels (0.6 mm width each) was investigated. CO₂ was absorbed from a CO₂/N₂ gaseous mixture into a NaOH aqueous solution and the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient and the gas-side mass transfer coefficient were measured. The influence of gas concentration on the value of gas-side mass transfer coefficient has been discussed.     

PGSS-drying: Mechanisms and modeling

Micronization of polyethylene glycol from aqueous solutions has been successfully performed with particles from gas-saturated solutions (PGSS)-drying process, producing spherical PEG particles with average particle size of 10 μm and residual water content below 1 wt%. Based on experimental results, an analysis of the fundamentals of the process has been developed, discussing mass and energy balances, phase equilibrium conditions, mass transfer rates and atomization mechanisms. Some discrepancies between experimentally observed moisture concentration in powder and calculations based on the mass balance and the phase equilibrium have been observed, which have been attributed to the kinetic evolution of pressure and temperature along the expansion path. The static mixer used to saturate the solution with CO₂ has been analyzed with phase equilibrium and mass transfer calculations, concluding that a significant fraction of water is extracted to the gas phase already in the static mixer, and high CO₂ concentrations are achieved in the liquid due to the high solubility of CO₂ in PEG. All experimental trends of variation of particle size with process parameters can be explained considering a flash-boiling atomization mechanism dependant on the concentration of CO₂ in the solution after the static mixer.     

CO2 Absorption Using Nanofluids in a Wetted‐Wall Column with External Magnetic Field

A new method for enhancing the mass transfer coefficient in the gas absorption process is reported. CO₂ absorption experiments were carried out in a wetted‐wall column using different aqueous nanofluids as the solvent. The mass transfer characteristics were found to increase by applying Al₂O₃/water nanofluid. The mass transfer coefficient decreased with TiO₂/water nanofluid. In the case of Fe₃O₄/water nanofluid, the mass transfer rate was enhanced by increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction, but the mass transfer coefficient was lower than that obtained with water for all experimental conditions studied. Finally, applying a downward magnetic field resulted in higher mass flux and mass transfer coefficient in comparison with experiments without a magnetic field.     

Comparison of Ozone and Oxygen Mass Transfer in a Laboratory and Pilot Plant Operation

Mass transfer of ozone and oxygen to water was investigated both in pilot plant countercurrent bubble column and in a Rushton type laboratory stirred reactor supplied with a variable speed turbine agitator. A comparison was made for different hydrodynamic conditions with the main task of developing an engineering approach for determination of the physical volumetric mass transfer coefficient (K_L ^oa), specific interfacial area (a), and physical masstransfer coefficient (K_LO). The mass transfer characteristics of ozone and oxygen can be determined quickly in a pilot plant or laboratory apparatus, and employed to optimize the performance ofthe full scale water treatment plant.     

Separation of As(III) and As(V) by hollow fiber supported liquid membrane based on the mass transfer theory

Separation of As(III) and As(V) ions from sulphate media by hollow fiber supported liquid membrane has been examined. Cyanex 923 was diluted in toluene and used as an extractant. Water was used as a stripping solution. The extractability of As(V) was higher than As(III). When the concentration of sulphuric acid in feed solution and Cyanex 923 in liquid membrane increased, more arsenic ions were extracted into liquid membrane and recovered into the stripping solution. The mathematical model was focused on the extraction side of the liquid membrane system. The mass transfer coefficients of the aqueous phase (k _i ) and organic phase (k _m ) are 7.15×10⁻³ and 3.45×10⁻² cm/s for As(III), and 1.07×10⁻² and 1.79×10⁻² cm/s for As(V). Therefore, the rate-controlling step for As(III) and As(V) in liquid membrane process is the mass transfer in the aqueous film between the feed solution and liquid membrane. The calculated mass transfer coefficients agree with the experimental results.     

Gas-liquid mass transfer in two and three-phase upflows through a vertical tube

Oxygen absorption rates were measured to determine volumetric coefficients of gas-liquid mass transfer coefficients k_La in gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid upward flows through a vertical tube. The liquid was deionized water or aqueous glycerol solution, and the solids were glass beads or polystyrene beads. The dependencies of k_La on gas velocity, liquid velocity, temperature, solid material, and solid concentration were examined. The experimental results were correlated with empirical equations. The mechanisms of the solid loading effect are discussed.     

Performance of hollow fiber supported liquid membrane on the extraction of mercury(II) ions

The extraction and recovery or stripping of mercury ions from chloride media using microporous hydrophobic hollow fiber supported liquid membranes (HFSLM) has been studied. Tri-n-octylamine (TOA) dissolved in kerosene was used as an extractant. Sodium hydroxide was used as a stripping solution. The transport system was studied as a function of several variables: the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the feed solution, the concentration of TOA in the liquid membrane, the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the stripping solution, the concentration of mercury ions in the feed solution and the flow rates of both feed and stripping solutions. The results indicated that the maximum percentages of the extraction and recovery of mercury ions of 100% and 97% were achieved at the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the feed solution of 0.1 mol/l, the concentration of TOA at 3% v/v, the concentration of sodium hydroxide at 0.5 mol/l and the flow rates of the feed and stripping solutions of 100 ml/min. However, the concentration of mercury ions from 1–100 ppm in the feed solution had no effect on the percentages of extraction and recovery of mercury ions. Thus, these results have identified that the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane process has high efficiency on both the extraction and recovery of mercury (II) ions. Moreover, the mass transfer coefficients of the aqueous phase (k _i ) and membrane or organic phase (k _m ) were calculated. The mass transfer coefficients of the aqueous phase and organic phase are 0.42 and 1.67 cm/s, respectively. The mass transfer coefficient of the organic phase is higher than that of the aqueous phase. Therefore, the mass transfer controlling step is the diffusion of the mercury ions through the film layer between the feed solution and the liquid membrane.     

Combined Absorption and Self-Decomposition of Ozone in Aqueous Solutions with Interfacial Resistance

A theoretical analysis is performed employing the film model for the isothermal absorption and self-decomposition of ozone in aqueous solutions with interfacial resistance, which is inversely proportional to the interfacial mass transfer coefficient k_s. A closed-form solution has been obtained. The effects of system parameters on the ozone mass transfer rate are examined. These parameters include the interfacial resistance (1/k_s), the acidic and basic self-decomposition reaction rate parameters (M_m ^0.5, M_n ^0.5.; M_m = [2D_Ak_mC_Ai ^m-1/(m+1)]/(k_L ⁰)², M_n=(2D_Ak_nC_Ai ^n-1/(n+1))/(k_L ⁰)², the reaction orders (m,n), the pH value of solution, and the liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient (k_L ⁰). The results indicate that the reduction effect of the interfacial resistance on the absorption rate is most significant for the situation with the larger values of M_m and M_n as well as with higher pH values. Also, for any particular finite value of k_L ⁰/k_s, the reduction effect encountered is greater for a gas liquid contactor with a lower k_L ⁰. The reduction effect should be avoided in order to maintain a higher mass transfer rate of ozone in aqueous solution. This analysis is of importance for the efficient use of ozone in water/wastewater treatment processes in the presence of interfacial resistance substances such as surface active agents. For some known special cases (for example, cases with no interfacial resistance), the present solution reduces to the previous works of other investigators.     

Ion and solvent transfers accompanying redox switching of polypyrrole films immersed in divalent anion solutions

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) data acquired under cyclic voltammetric conditions were used to investigate the interfacial mass transfers accompanying redox switching of polypyrrole (PPy) films immersed in aqueous solutions of divalent anions. In contrast to the dominance of anion transfer in univalent anion (perchlorate) solution, PPy redox switching in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄, 0.1 M Na₂C₂O₄, 0.1 M Na₂HPO₄ and 0.1 M Na₂CO₃ solutions involves mixed anion/cation transfers, with the cation as the dominant species. Cation transfer is accompanied by water transfer, to the extent of 0.5-3 mol of water per mole of cation; in part, solvent transfers as a result of a combined osmotic and a volume constraint. Almost all the injected charge is recovered during PPy redox switching in a given dianion electrolyte, but the EQCM responses evolve with repetitive film redox switching. There is a redox-induced increase in the reduced film's mass. Over the course of a few cycles (the exact number depending on electrolyte and film thickness), the potential dependences of the film charge and mass responses achieve a steady state significantly different from that for an equilibrated undoped film.     

Effect of cations and anions on properties of zinc oxide particles synthesized in supercritical water

Hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide fine particles from zinc salt (Zn(CH₃COO)₂, ZnSO₄, Zn(NO₃)₂) and alkali metal hydroxide (LiOH, KOH) aqueous solution was carried out with a Ti alloy batch reactor in supercritical water. Particle size synthesized in LiOH solution was relatively smaller than that in KOH. Emission spectra of the particle produced from ZnSO₄ and LiOH aqueous solution shows the highest intensity among these systems. Hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide fine particles from Zn(NO₃)₂ and LiOH solution was also carried out with a flow-through apparatus for continuous production and rapid heating of the starting solution to supercritical states. Nanoparticles having an average particle diameter of 16 nm was produced at 659 K and 30 MPa.     

Precipitation of metal sulphides using gaseous hydrogen sulphide: mathematical modelling

A mathematical model has been developed that describes the precipitation of metal sulffides in an aqueous solution containing two different heavy metal ions. The solution is assumed to consist of a well-mixed bulk and a boundary layer that is contacted with hydrogen sulphide gas. The model makes use of Higbie's penetration model to calculate the transfer of gaseous hydrogen sulphide to this boundary layer. The conditions that have been used in the simulations resemble those of industrial wastewater from a zinc factory. The model predicts the rate of H₂S absorption, the size distribution of the metal sulphide crystals and the selectivity of precipitation. Higher precipitation rates are predicted at higher pH values and higher H₂S concentrations. In all cases considered, the rate of precipitation is fully controlled by mass transfer of H₂S, higher H₂S concentrations and higher specific surface areas yielding higher precipitation rates. The size of the obtained crystals is predicted to increase with H₂S concentration, but to decrease with specific surface area and liquid side mass transfer. These results illustrate the importance of reactor layout and operating conditions on the process of gas-liquid precipitation.     

1-氨丙基-3-甲基咪唑溴功能型离子液体对CO2的吸收性能

1-氨丙基-3-甲基咪唑溴盐([APMIm])对CO₂等酸性气体具有较强的选择性吸收性能,在能源及环保领域有较好应用前景。运用等容饱和吸收法在高压不锈钢反应釜中测得CO₂在3种不同含水量的1-氨丙基-3-甲基咪唑溴盐水溶液中的溶解度数据,实验的温度范围为278.15~348.15 K,实验压力由低于大气压到最高6.5 MPa。实验结果表明,当水的质量分数达到60.84%以上,离子液体水溶液吸收CO₂的能力和速率才会得到显著提升。尤其值得注意的是,在278.15 K、120 kPa达到吸收平衡时,CO₂在含水质量分数为60.84%的1-氨丙基-3-甲基咪唑溴盐水溶液中的溶解度达到0.459 mol CO₂ ·(mol IL)^-1,接近理论最大吸收值0.5 mol CO₂·(mol IL)^-1。在较高压力下(3.9 MPa)最大CO₂吸收量为1.894 mol CO₂·(mol IL)^-1。     

Optimization of solution concentration by electrodialysis: Application to zinc sulfate solutions

Electrodialysis is used here for concentrating dilute solutions of zinc sulfate. Product concentration is limited by salt flux and water transport, i.e. hydration water, and osmotic, electroosmotic fluxes. Then, the variation in concentration of the concentrate solution can be expressed by a relation of the form:ΔC_b = C_b⁰(k_1x + k_2xX)/(k_3x + k_4xX) where the variable x is either the surface, or the number of elementary compartments. It can also be the time, or the current density. Optimization with respect to time shows that high concentration factors are obtained with an apparatus for which the product of the exchange area to the inverse of the channel width is high. Experimental results agree with this analysis in the case of ZnSO₄ aqueous solutions.     

Study on superabsorbent composite. XV. Effects of ion‐exchanged attapulgite on water absorbency of superabsorbent composites

A series of superabsorbent composite, polyacrylamide/attapulgite, from acrylamide (AM) and ion‐exchanged attapulgite (APT) was prepared by aqueous polymerization, using N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The effects of ion‐exchanged APT on water absorbency of superabsorbent composites in distilled water and in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution were studied. The result indicates that higher cation‐exchange capacity (CEC) and lower specific surface area (SSA) of APT treated with various anions are of benefit for improving water absorbency in distilled water. The effects of AlCl₃ solution concentration and Al³⁺‐exchanged APT content on water absorbency of the composite were also investigated. The concentration of AlCl₃ solution has a great influence on water absorbency of the superabsorbent composite. Al³⁺‐exchange of APT could also enhance reswelling ability of the corresponding composite, which indicates that Al³⁺‐exchange of APT could improve gel strength and gives a direct evidence for its acting as an inorganic assistant crosslinker in the polymeric network. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:208–213, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Kinetics of carbon dioxide absorption into aqueous amine amino acid salt: 3-(methylamino)propylamine/sarcosine solution

A string of discs contactor apparatus was used to measure the CO₂ absorption kinetics into an unloaded aqueous amine amino acid salt, 3-(methylamino)propylamine/sarcosine, SARMAPA solution. The solution was prepared by mixing equinormal proportions of sarcosine, SAR and 3-(methylamino)propylamine, MAPA. Experiments were carried out for the concentration range 1.0–5.0 kmol m⁻³ and for temperatures 25–62 °C. The termolecular mechanism was applied to interpret the experimental data after correcting for non-idealities from the ionic strength using an ionic correction factor. A model correlation without the ionic strength correction was found not to give a good fit to the experimental data. The reaction rate constant for aqueous SARMAPA was determined and found to be comparable to values for amines. It increases significantly with temperature and concentration. The reaction rate constant for water is higher in the SARMAPA system than in amine systems indicating that water contributes significantly to the overall absorption rate and more than in amine systems. The reaction order with respect to the amino acid salt, SARMAPA, concentration varies from 1.06 to 1.43 with an average value of 1.21. A simplified approach applied to the complex speciation chemistry of the amine amino acid salt, AAAS, system gave a good representation of the experimentally observed kinetic rate constant.     

Gas hold-up and oxygen transfer in three-phase external-loop airlift bioreactors: Non-Newtonian fermentation broths

The effects of solids loading on gas hold-up and oxygen transfer in external-loop airlift bioreactors with non-Newtonian fermentation media are discussed. Experiments were performed in two model external-loop airlift bioreactors with aqueous solutions of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and xanthan gum representing non-Newtonian flows. Low-density plastic particles of 1030 and 1300 kg m⁻³ were used and the solids loading was varied in the range 0–20% (v/v). For the inelastic non-Newtonian CMC aqueous solutions, the presence of low-density solid particles slightly increased the riser gas hold-up, ϕ_gr, but decreased the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, k_La. On the other hand, ϕ_gr decreased but k_La increased with solids loading in the viscoelastic non-Newtonian xanthan gum aqueous solution. The extent of these effects depended on non-Newtonian flow behavior. Theoretical models of riser gas hold-up and volumetric mass transfer coefficient have been developed. The capability of the proposed models was examined using the present experimental data obtained in the model external-loop airlift bioreactors and the available data in the literature. The data were successfully correlated by the proposed correlations except the results for k_La coefficient in the xanthan gum solution.     

Simultaneous measurement of gas hold-up and mass transfer coefficient by tracer dynamic technique in “Emulsair” reactor with an emulsion-venturi distributor

Hydrodynamics and gas-liquid mass transfer have been investigated in an “Emulsair” reactor with cocurrent downflow of gas and liquid. This consists of a cylindrical tank with conical bottom topped by an emulsion-venturi as the gas-liquid distributor in which the gas is self-aspired by action of the kinetic energy of the liquid recirculation. An original tracer dynamic technique using the CO₂-N₂/water system that enables the simultaneous measurement of overall gas hold-up and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient has been developed and validated using conventional techniques, such as volume expansion for gas hold-up and dynamic oxygenation for mass transfer. It has been shown that gas hold-up and K_La_L can be deduced from the moments of experimental response curves using a CO₂ pulse in the gas feed. Experimental results have proved that hydrodynamics and mass transfer in the Emulsair reactor are strongly influenced by the flow regime in the divergent. Two different regimes have been observed depending on the liquid recirculation flow rate: annular and homogeneous bubbling flows. In both regimes, self-aspired gas flow rate, gas hold-up and K_La_L have been reported to increase with the liquid flow rate. The operation effectiveness, estimated from the gas-to-liquid flow rate ratio, has been shown to pass through a maximum around 0.59 as a function of liquid recirculation. A comparison with the literature proved that this maximum is higher than those observed for other kinds of gas-liquid reactors equipped with a venturi. Correlations for mass transfer estimation have been derived and are in agreement with the literature.     

Deformation and water loss from solvent filled microcapsules under compressive loads

Microcapsules filled with liquid solvents for CO₂ absorption can be easily deformed due to their elastic polymer shells. We present a combination of experiments and model predictions to demonstrate that modest compressive forces can lead to significant capsule deformation and performance issues for this enabling technology. Contrary to expectations based on Raoult's law, capsules containing aqueous carbonate solution were found to lose water to flows of humidified nitrogen in centimeter-scale packed beds. Water loss increased with gas velocity, suggesting compression was responsible for mass transfer, an interpretation supported by microscope images of deformed and broken capsules. A model for compression induced mass transfer under packed/fluidized bed operating conditions was developed and validated with the experimental data for a range of conditions (gas velocities, temperatures, humidities). Design criteria for future generations of microcapsules that will more effectively resist compression are evaluated.