On the estimation of the regime transition point in bubble columns

Using literature data of gas hold-up as a function of the superficial velocity from 16 different sources, a data bank of regime transition points was elaborated. It comprises 83 data related to a total of 20 systems, covering a wide range of physical properties and operating parameters, for both perforated and porous plate spargers. This data bank was employed to critically assess the quality of the predictions of the regime transition point given by available literature correlations. All correlations tested failed to provide a proper representation of the data bank, with rather high mean absolute deviations (always greater than 37%) and, in some cases, even physically inconsistent values were obtained. Thus, new empirical formulas were proposed for estimating the gas superficial velocity at the point of regime transition in bubble columns and the corresponding gas hold-up, whose mean absolute deviations were respectively equal to 17.7 and 21.1%.     

Flow regime transition identification in three phase co‐current bubble columns

Bubble columns have wide applications in absorption, bio‐reactions, catalytic slurry reactions, coal liquefaction; and are simple to operate, have less operating costs; provide good heat and mass transfer. Experiments have been performed for identifying transition regime in a 15 cm diameter bubble column with liquid phase as water and air as the gas phase. Glass beads of mean diameter 35 µm have been used as solid phase. The superficial gas velocity is in the range 0 ≤ U_g ≤ 16.3 cm/s and superficial liquid velocity in the range of 0 ≤ U_l ≤ 12.26 cm/s. Solid loading up to 9% (w/v) has been used. Pressure signals have been measured using differential pressure transducers (DPTs) at four different axial locations. Classical analysis (Wallis approach and Zuber–Findlay approach), Statistical analysis and Fractal analysis have been used for regime transition identification. Statistical analysis and Fractal analysis have shown almost the same transition points for all the liquid and gas velocities. Effect of solid concentration, liquid velocity and gas velocity over transition regime has also been studied. As the solid concentration is increased it has insignificant effect over transition regime for lower values (<1%), while transition values decrease for higher solid concentration (>1%). © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

Characterizing regime transitions in a bubble column with internals

Effects of internals on flow regimes are systematically investigated in a lab-scale bubble column (BC) through six approaches: total gas holdup, drift-flux, standard deviation, fractal analysis, chaos analysis and wavelet analysis. With increasing internals-covered cross-sectional area (CSA), these methods give various value of the first transitional superficial gas velocity, as different scales of structures are detected to characterize regime transition. While internals are found to have marginal effect on total gas holdup, significant change in gas-holdup structure is discovered, showing a decrease in large-bubbles holdup and an increase in small-bubbles holdup in transitional and churn-turbulent regimes. We propose a novel approach based on wavelet analysis to demarcate the boundaries among micro-, meso-, and macro-scales. The energy fraction of these representative scales identifies two transitional velocities, suggesting that internals advance the advent of first transition and delay the second one. The operating window of transitional regime is, therefore, remarkably extended.     

Stability analysis of bubble columns: Predictions for regime transition

A criterion for the transition from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous regime in a bubble column is developed based on the theory of linear stability. Hydrodynamics of bubble column is described by two-fluid model incorporating the interphase forces like drag force and added mass force. Added mass force affects the hydrodynamics of gas-liquid flows significantly and is formulated by taking into account the bubble deformation. A proper understanding of the nature of gas-liquid interface (clean or contaminated) is desired for the reliable predictions of the added mass coefficient. Data from the literature on the transition in bubble columns is critically analyzed. A good agreement has been obtained between the experimental transition gas hold-up and the predictions of the same obtained by the theory developed in this work.     

Effect of solids on homogeneous-heterogeneous flow regime transition in bubble columns

Experiments were conducted to study the effect of the presence of the solid phase on the homogeneous-heterogeneous flow regime transition in a bubble column 0.14 m diameter. Air, distilled water and calcium alginate beads (2.1 mm, ) at concentrations c=0-30% (vol.) were the phases. The basic data were the voidage-gas flow rate dependences. The critical point, where the homogeneous regime loses stability and the transition begins, was evaluated by the drift flux model. The critical values of voidage and gas flow rate were the quantitative measures of the homogeneous regime stability. These were plotted against the solid phase concentration. It was found, that both the voidage and the critical values increased with the solid content at low solid loading, approx. c=0-3%, and decreased at higher loading, c>3%. The homogeneous regime was thus first stabilized and then destabilized. To explain this dual effect, possible physical mechanisms of the solid phase influence on the uniform bubble bed were discussed.     

Theoretical prediction of flow regime transition in bubble columns by the population balance model

Theoretical prediction of flow regime transition in bubble columns was studied based on the bubble size distribution by the population balance model (PBM). Models for bubble coalescence and breakup due to different mechanisms, including coalescence due to turbulent eddies, coalescence due to different bubble rise velocities, coalescence due to bubble wake entrainment, breakup due to eddy collision and breakup due to large bubble instability, were proposed. Simulation results showed that at relatively low superficial gas velocities, bubble coalescence and breakup were relatively weak and the bubble size was small and had a narrow distribution; with an increase in the superficial gas velocity, large bubbles began to form due to bubble coalescence, resulting in a much wider bubble size distribution. The regime transition was predicted to occur when the volume fraction of small bubbles sharply decreased. The predicted transition superficial gas velocity was about 4 cm/s for the air-water system, in accordance with the values obtained from experimental approaches.     

Frictional loss in multiplate bubble columns

Gas holdup and pressure loss were measured for various gas-liquid systems in a batch, multistage bubble column. Experimental results show that the use of screen plates (α = 0.64) considerably increases the gas holdup but introduces a significant pressure loss for the two-phase mixture. The pressure loss was found to be independent of physical properties of the mixture, and predictable either from the modified separated flow model (Chen et al., 1986) or from the kinetic energy loss based on the liquid circulation velocity.     

Influence of elevated pressure and particle lyophobicity on hydrodynamics and gas–liquid mass transfer in slurry bubble columns

This article reports on the influence of elevated pressure and catalyst particle lyophobicity at particle concentrations up to 3 vol % on the hydrodynamics and the gas‐to‐liquid mass transfer in a slurry bubble column. The study was done with demineralized water (aqueous phase) and Isopar‐M oil (organic phase) slurries in a 0.15 m internal diameter bubble column operated at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 1.3 MPa. The overall gas hold‐up, the flow regime transition point, the average large bubble diameter, and the centerline liquid velocity were measured along with the gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient. The gas hold‐up and the flow regime transition point are not influenced by the presence of lyophilic particles. Lyophobic particles shift the regime transition to a higher gas velocity and cause foam formation. Increasing operating pressure significantly increases the gas hold‐up and the regime transition velocity, irrespective of the particle lyophobicity. The gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient is proportional to the gas hold‐up for all investigated slurries and is not affected by the particle lyophobicity, the particle concentration, and the operating pressure. A correlation is presented to estimate the gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient as a function of the measured gas hold‐up: $k_{\rm l}a_{\rm l}/\varepsilon_{\rm g} = 3.0 \sqrt{Du_{\rm b}/d_{\rm b}^3}\;{\rm s}^{-1}$ . © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010     

鼓泡床内气体分布器设计及其对水力学的影响

本文比较了目前常用的几种分布器，通过照像法观察了三种分布器（单孔板、多孔板和烧结金属板）上的气泡形成过程，然后测定了这三种分布器的于板压降和湿板压降，并就它们对水力学条件的影响进行了考察。其结果对鼓泡床内分布器的设计具有一定的参考价值。     

Characteristic mixing length in bubble columns

Liquid-phase mixing in bubble columns is discussed on the basis of the mixing length theory. A characteristic mixing length defined as a lumped hydrodynamic parameter is estimated. The results indicate that the characteristic mixing length assumed previously by one of the authors is reasonable.     

Flow regimes and mass transfer in counter-current bubble columns

Counter current bubble columns have the feature that specific gas-liquid interfacial area and gas holdup are larger than those for standard and cocurrent bubble columns. In this study, three different flow regimes, churn-turbulent flow, bubble flow and bubble down-flow, have been observed in a counter-current bubble column and correlations of gas holdup and volumetric liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient have been proposed as functions of operating variables such as the superficial velocities of gas and liquid, the gas-liquid slip velocity and the liquid properties.     

Coalescence efficiency of bubbles in bubble columns

Bubble size distribution was modelled by employing the population balance equation (PBE). All three bubble coalescence mechanisms (turbulence, buoyancy and laminar shear) and the main bubble breakup mechanism (breakup due to turbulent eddies) were considered in the model. Local bubble size distributions at the top and bottom of the column were obtained by solving this PBE. The results were compared with the experimental data for seven independent multiphase systems (water/air, isomax diesel/air, kerosene/air and four other liquid mixture/air) at two diverse gas velocities. The experimental adjustable constant in the coalescence efficiency function was determined by fitting the population balance to the experimental bubble size distributions. An empirical correlation was proposed for the coalescence efficiency by the dimensional analysis, which includes Reynolds and Weber numbers. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

单孔及微孔曝气低气速鼓泡床内气泡行为比较

引言鼓泡床反应器被广泛应用于吸收、液相氧化、好氧生化等气液反应过程,气体在液相中的分散情况对鼓泡床的反应和传质特性都有很大影响.为了提高气液传质效率,增加生产强度,工业反应器很多都是在高气速下操作(Ug>0·05m·s-1),很多研究都集中在高气速湍动鼓泡区[1~3].但对有机     

Effect of surfactant on homogeneous regime stability in bubble column

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect a surface active agent on homogeneous-heterogeneous flow regime transition in a laboratory scale bubble column. Air and water with various amount of CaCl₂ were the phases. The (voidage e) - (gas flow rate q) dependence was measured. The critical point where the homogeneous regime loses stability and the transition begins was evaluated by several methods. These methods are based on the slip speed concept and the drift flux model. The critical values of voidage and gas flow rate were taken as the quantitative measures of the homogeneous regime stability. They were plotted against the surfactant concentration. It was found that the surfactant has a dual effect on both the voidage and the regime transition: low concentration stabilizes and larger concentration destabilizes the homogeneous bubble bed. At present, we do not have an explanation to these observations. Possible physical mechanisms of the surfactant effect are expected to be revealed by further experiments, which are currently under way.     

Description of flow regime transitions in bubble columns via laser Doppler anemometry signals processing

This work aims at studying the non-linear dynamics and the flow regime transitions in bubble column reactors. For this purpose, various signal processing techniques e.g. frequency analysis, fractal analysis and deterministic chaos analysis have been applied to laser Doppler velocimetry signals. The system considered is a two-dimensional reactor allowing LDV measurements at higher void fractions than in three-dimensional systems. Each signal processing technique presents a specific capacity to describe a regime transition or a feature of the flow structure. Use of these various techniques have highlighted the occurrence of two states in the transition regime and yielded detailed information on the physical mechanisms responsible for these transitions.     

Non-newtonian two-phase circulation in bubble columns

Gas-liquid and gas-slurry bubble columns are widely used in the mineral and engineering industries, particularly for aeration (oxidation), synthesis of oil and flotation of mineral fines. Even though gas may be introduced into a bubble column evenly through a distributor plate over the whole column floor, undesirable circulation patterns generally develop in the column. This paper extends a force balance approach (originally used for turbulent systems) to predict circulation in non-Newtonian gas-liquid mixtures and demonstrates how the rheological properties will affect a single circulation pattern in a column.     

The effect of sparger geometry on gas holdup and regime transition points in a bubble column equipped with perforated plate spargers

This paper investigates the effect of sparger geometry on flow regime of a bubble column. The experiments presented in this study were performed under atmospheric pressure with water/air in a cylindrical Plexiglas^® column of 33.0 cm i.d. and 3.0 m height. Three different perforated plate spargers were employed. Hole diameter was varied in the range of 1–3 mm, while the free area was 1.0%.The theory of linear stability is used for the prediction of regime transitions in the bubble column and a comparison has been presented between the predictions and the experimental observations. A good agreement between the predictions and the experimental values of transition gas holdup has been obtained.In addition, the data from the literature has been analyzed. Experimental values of transition gas holdups and predictions by the theory of linear stability have been compared with those of literature.A correlation based on dimensionless numbers (Archimedes, Froude, Eötvös and Weber) and the group (d_o/D_C) for the prediction of gas holdup in homogeneous regime is proposed. The average error between the correlation predictions and experimental values remains under ±10%.The proposed correlation is compared with the published data and found to be in fairly good agreement.     

The influence of electrolytes on gas hold-up and regime transition in bubble columns

Experiments were conducted in a 0.12-m-in-diameter bubble column to investigate the effect of electrolytes on gas hold-up (ε) and on the regime transition point in bubble columns. Air was used as the dispersed phase and aqueous solutions of three different salts (NaCl, Na₂SO₄ and NaI), as well as double-distilled water, were utilised as the continuous phase, varying the gas superficial velocity (u_G) in the range 0-0.26 m/s. The ε×u_G curves were a function of both the chemical nature and the concentration of the electrolytes. However, similar ε×u_G profiles were obtained regardless of the electrolyte for a given ratio between the concentration in the solution and the critical concentration of the electrolyte for bubble coalescence. This ratio therefore presents itself as a promising modelling parameter to account for the chemical nature of electrolytes. The gas hold-up data were employed to compute the regime transition point according to two different methods, evidencing its non-linear dependence on the concentration of electrolytes in the liquid.     

气液鼓泡床内的液体流速分布

引言 鼓泡床是一种重要的气液或气液固多相反应器.液体循环流动是鼓泡床的一个重要流体力学特征,从20世纪50年代人们就开始对此进行了比较系统的实验研究[1-6].这个特征对鼓泡床的流体返混行为、气含率、气液界面积以及传热传质系数都有很大影响,特别是液体返混行为可以由液体循环特性直接决定.如何准确地描述和预测鼓泡床中的液体流速沿径向的分布,关系到鼓泡床反应器的设计、放大和优化.因此,许多年来它一直是人们致力探讨的重要课题之一[7-8].     

Hydrodynamic studies with foaming and non-newtonian solutions in bubble columns

Experiments were conducted in 0.05 m ID and 0.23 m ID by 3 m tall bubble columns to study the effect of surfactants and viscosity of liquid medium on gas hold-up and Sauter mean bubble diameter. The addition of n-butanol (0.5 and 1 wt.%) to water leads to the formation of foam and consequently produces higher gas hold-ups. The foam could be eliminated completely with the addition of a sufficient quantity (0.5 wt.%) of carboxymethyl cellulose to the aqueous alcohol solution. In the absence of foam, gas hold-ups were similar to those obtained with pure liquids. Sauter mean bubble diameters, obtained using the dynamic gas disengagement technique, increase with viscosity of liquid medium.