HOLDUP STRUCTURE IN HIGHLY VISCOUS NEWTONIAN AND NON-NEWTONIAN LIQUIDS IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

Gas holdup structures in highly viscous glycerine and CMC solutions are studied in a 0.305 m diameter batch bubble column. The fractional gas holdups are determined using the dynamic gas disengagement method. Empirical correlations for the gas holdup based on data covering wide ranges of viscosities in Newtonian and pseudoplastic non-Newtonian solutions are presented. For highly viscous pseudoplastic solutions in small diameter columns, the gas holdup has a square root dependence on the diameter of the column. The absence of small bubbles is suggested to be a reason for the very low volumetric mass transfer coefficients in highly viscous solutions, reported in the literature.     

HOLDUP STRUCTURE IN HIGHLY VISCOUS NEWTONIAN AND NON-NEWTONIAN LIQUIDS IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

Gas holdup structures in highly viscous glycerine and CMC solutions are studied in a 0.305 m diameter batch bubble column. The fractional gas holdups are determined using the dynamic gas disengagement method. Empirical correlations for the gas holdup based on data covering wide ranges of viscosities in Newtonian and pseudoplastic non-Newtonian solutions are presented. For highly viscous pseudoplastic solutions in small diameter columns, the gas holdup has a square root dependence on the diameter of the column. The absence of small bubbles is suggested to be a reason for the very low volumetric mass transfer coefficients in highly viscous solutions, reported in the literature.     

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF GAS HOLDUP IN TWO-PHASE BUBBLE COLUMNS WITH FOAMING LIQUIDS

Gas-liquid upward flow experiments have been performed in two bubble columns of different diameters (0.10 and 0.29 m,) using air as gas phase and several liquids: water, aqueous solutions of ethanol and glycerine, kerosene, and a solution of a surfactant in kerosene. The main goal of the study is the analysis of foaming systems, including the comparison of their behavior with respect to non-foaming systems. The gas holdup was determined experimentally as a function of the gas and liquid superficial velocities in bubbling, churn-turbulent and foaming regimes. It was found that, for foaming systems, semi-batch operation enhances foam formation, yielding higher holdups than those obtained in continuous operation at very low liquid velocities. Opposite to what is observed in non-foaming systems, the liquid superficial velocity affects the gas holdup appreciably in foaming systems. An increase in column diameter results in a decrease in gas holdup for all the systems studied. In aqueous foaming systems, this trend is more drastic since foam is inhibited as the column diameter increases.     

MORE ON MIXING OF VISCOUS LIQUIDS IN BUBBLE COLUMNS*

Four aspects of liquid-phase mixing in semi-batch bubble columns operating with viscous and non-Newtonian liquids were studied: the influence of the central plume on mixing rate, the velocity profiles, the gas hold-up, and the back-mixing. Three regimes of the bubble-induced mixing were identified and associated with the mode of the central plume. One of the modes, due to a moderate gas rate, was found to lead to optimal mixing. Also the gas hold-up and the degree of back-mixing were associated with the central plume mode. A model of the velocity profile proposed earlier was now modified and extended to apply also to the turbulent regime.     

EFFECT OF OPERATING CONDITIONS ON GAS HOLDUP IN SLURRY BUBBLE COLUMNS WITH A FOAMING LIQUID

This work presents experimental data on gas holdup in slurry bubble columns with a foaming liquid. The effects of solids concentration, solid particle size, superficial phase velocities and column dimensions on the gas holdup are analyzed. At low superficial gas velocities (less than 4cm/s), for which the liquid does not foam, the presence of solids with small particle size does not affect the gas holdup whereas solids with large particle size induce foam formation and thus their presence increases the gas holdup. In the foaming regime, an increase of solids concentration decreases the gas holdup. The operating mode has a strong effect on the gas holdup: the semi-batch operating mode (stagnant liquid-solid suspension) increases the ability of the liquid to foam with respect to the continuous mode. Regarding the effect of column dimensions, the results presented show that the height of the bubble column does not affect at an appreciable extent the gas holdup in the range 6 < LID < 12. At high gas velocities (greater than 6 cm/s) the gas holdups obtained in a 30 cm-internal diameter column are the same as those measured in a 10 cm-internal diameter column.     

DISPERSION OF GAS AND LIQUID IN BUBBLE COLUMNS OF HOMOGENEOUS BUBBLE FLOW REGIME

Mean gas holdup, lateral distribution of gas holdup and axial mixing of gas and liquid were measured in bubble columns of 12 and 19cm i.d. The lateral distribution of gas holdup was strongly dependent on the flow regimes in the column. The axial mixing of liquid in the homogeneous bubble flow regime was much smaller than that in the heterogeneous bubble flow regime, and was not expressed by existing correlations. The axial mixing of liquid in the homogeneous bubble flow and the intermediate flow regime was simulated with a flow model based on the lateral distribution of buoyancy force and the effective viscosity. The axial mixing of gas was larger than that of liquid.     

GAS HOLDUP AND HEAT TRANSFER FROM IMMERSED SURFACES IN TWO- AND THREE-PHASE SYSTEMS IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

Two experimental slurry bubble column facilities comprising of 10.8 and 30.5 cm diameter columns and appropriate for conducting hydrodynamic and heat transfer studies are described. The average and local gas holdup data are reported for the air-water system as a function of air velocity. The holdups for the three phases are also reported for the air-water-glass beads system over a range of air velocity values. The air holdup data are compared with the predictions of some of the commonly used correlations. The heat transfer coefficient for a 19 mm diameter cylindrical probe and the two- and three-phase dispersions are measured as a function of air velocity. Most of these hydrodynamic and heat transfer data correspond to the churn turbulent regime and the values obtained on the two columns differ appreciably from each other under similar operating conditions. This fact indicates that the scaleup of slurry bubble columns could be quite difficult on the basis of data obtained on the bench and pilot-plant scale units. The continuing data from these facilities on different systems will shed more light in the future on this important aspect which is crucial to the commercialization of indirect coal liquefaction technology.     

LOSS COEFFICIENTS IN ENTRANCE REGION FLOWS OF NEWTONIAN AND NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS IN ECCENTRIC ANNULI

Loss coefficients for laminar flow of an incompressible Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids flowing in an eccentric annulus are calculated by modelling an eccentric annulus as a slit of variable height. While the loss coefficients for a power-law fluid are smaller than those for a Newtonian one, the reverse is true for a Bingham fluid. In the limiting case of a concentric annulus, the results are found to be in good agreement with those reported in the literature.     

INVISCID LIQUID CIRCULATION IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

For circulation in axi-symmetric (cylindrical) bubble columns, the recently developed mathematical model^25,26 has been used along with the criterion of minimum circulation strength to determine the height of each circulation cell in a tall column. This is then used to derive a theoretical expression, first of its kind, for gas hold-up inside a bubble column. The predictions of this equation as well as the equation derived here for axial liquid velocity at column axis have been compared with available data and the comparison is found to be excellent for both the variables. An explicit relation is derived for the average liquid circulation velocity. The model is also used to derive an expression for liquid axial dispersion coefficient which compares almost exactly with Deckwer et al.'s⁴ correlation.

For circulation in two-dimensional bubble columns a new mathematical model is developed. The predictions of bubble envelope shape and bubble envelope area compare well with published data. The predictions of number of circulation cells in the horizontal direction also compare well with published data.     

INVISCID LIQUID CIRCULATION IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

For circulation in axi-symmetric (cylindrical) bubble columns, the recently developed mathematical model^25,26 has been used along with the criterion of minimum circulation strength to determine the height of each circulation cell in a tall column. This is then used to derive a theoretical expression, first of its kind, for gas hold-up inside a bubble column. The predictions of this equation as well as the equation derived here for axial liquid velocity at column axis have been compared with available data and the comparison is found to be excellent for both the variables. An explicit relation is derived for the average liquid circulation velocity. The model is also used to derive an expression for liquid axial dispersion coefficient which compares almost exactly with Deckwer et al.'s⁴ correlation.

For circulation in two-dimensional bubble columns a new mathematical model is developed. The predictions of bubble envelope shape and bubble envelope area compare well with published data. The predictions of number of circulation cells in the horizontal direction also compare well with published data.     

气—液鼓泡塔中流动域和气含率的分布

利用压力传感器测定了气、液两相鼓泡塔内不同轴、径向位置上压强的脉动信号,分析了压强的脉动特征,计算了各种操作条件下塔内不同轴向位置截面上的平均气含率,发现在不同操作条件下,塔内可能出现不同的流动域分布,即全塔均匀鼓泡域、全塔过渡域、全塔湍动鼓泡域以及均匀鼓泡域,过渡域和湍动鼓泡域中的相邻2种或3种流域同时出现在塔内不同高度上。提出了不同轴向位置流域转变的判据。并发现,同一截面的不同径向位置基本处于同一流域内。同时研究了鼓泡塔内气含率在轴向上的分布规律,给出了不同流动域内气含率的关系式。     

气液逆流鼓泡塔中的气含率与液速分布和数值模拟

分别采用线－线电导探针和背靠背式皮托和测定了气液逆流鼓泡塔中局部气含率和液体轴向速度的径向和轴向分布,讨论了操作条件对气含率与液体轴向速度分布的影响,利用双流体模型对塔内两相湍流流动进行了数值模拟。     

鼓泡塔中气含率的温度和电解质效应

在直径0.10m、高1.05m 的鼓泡塔中,对空气-水、乙醇、5%NaCl(aq)、5%KCl(aq)、5%CaCl_2(aq)、5%Na_2SO_4(aq)、2.34%MgCl_2(aq)等物系气含率的温度效应和电解质效应进行了实验研究。通过引入((P+Ps)/P)数群很好地关联了气含率的温度效应,找出了气含率的电解质校正因子与液相离子强度的关系。     

BUBBLE SIZES AND HOLDUP STRUCTURE IN BUBBLE COLUMNS DETERMINED BY DYNAMIC GAS DISENGAGEMENT

A new model for determining bubble size distributions in bubble columns by the dynamic gasdisengagement(DGD)technique is developed.It is based on an idea of non-uniform steady statedirstribution of bubble dispersion.Interpreting the axial non-uniformity,this model gives axial gasholdup distributions.If assuming an axially homogeneous dispersion,a radial gas holdup distributioncan be obtained.The Sauter mean diameters or specific interfacial areas for several systems areestimated by the technique.The results for an air-water system agree with those measured by afive-point conductivity probe technique.The obtained axial gas holdup distributions agree well withreported measurements and the radial gas holdup distributions are also reasonable.     

PROFILE OF LIQUID FLOW IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

Equations for the liquid velocity profile and the average gas hold-up in bubble columns including cocurrent flow are proposed. It is shown that the inversion point of liquid flow can be used as the characteristic parameter for calculating the liquid flow profiles and gas hold-up. A tracer method was developed to measure the inversion point of liquid flow in bubble column reactors. For water as the liquid phase this inversion point was found at a distance from the column axis of 0·70 0·73 times the column radius. Besides, bubble velocities and bubble diameters in water and methanol-water solutions were determined, using a 5-point conductivity microprobe. It was found that in dilute solutions of methanol the bubble velocity is lower than in pure water. With increasing superficial gas velocity, the bubble velocity steadily increases in pure water, whereas in methanol-water solution it first decreases and, after reaching a minimum, increases too.     

EFFECT OF SURFACTANT CONCENTRATION ON GAS HOLDUP IN A BUBBLE COLUMN WITH AN ORGANIC LIQUID

This work presents an experimental analysis of the effect of the addition of a surfactant on gas holdup in a bubble column with an organic liquid phase. For the system considered, the addition of surfactant increases the gas holdup by increasing the volume of foam within the column. The surfactant concentration has negligible effect on the intrinsic gas holdup of both the bubbling and foaming regions.     

ON THE LIQUID FLOW REVERSAL IN BUBBLE COLUMNS

The maximum range of the radial position within which liquid flow reversal can be expected to occur in zero net liquid flow bubble columns is predicted. It is shown that existing models, that employ this position as an input parameter for predicting the liquid velocity profile, are intrinsically valid only when the flow reversal dimensiontess radius is confined to ihe narrow range of 0.644-0.707. It is demonstrated that radial positions outside this range are unacceptable on physical grounds. Guidelines for evaluating the appropriate location of the flow reversal point for typical bubble column operating conditions are proposed.     

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF GAS AND SOLID PHASES IN CONICAL SLURRY BUBBLE COLUMNS

In this work we perform an experimental study of the spatial distribution of phases in slurry bubble columns with conical distributors that have a volume comparable to that of the cylindrical section. Three different distributors were used whose apex angles were 13°, 22° and 34°. In gas-liquid operation, the gas holdups are axially uniform in the cylindrical section and decrease towards the wall, whereas in the conical section they increase towards the inlet. These trends are observed in the three cones for all the operating conditions explored. The solids distributions in the conical sections are qualitatively different depending on whether the operation is semibatch or continuous with respect to the flow of solid-liquid suspension: in semibatch operation, the concentration monotonically increases towards the bottom of the cone and exhibits a slight increase as the wall is approached; in continuous operation, an absolute maximum in solids concentration is obtained at a point located on the wall of the cone and intermediate height. The location of this maximum moves upwards as the total solids content in the column increases and as the apex angle decreases. The maximum in solids concentration signals the most probable site for the onset of solids sedimentation and the presence of low mixing levels and reduced mass transfer rates in a slurry reactor. In the range of conditions explored in the present work, the lowest apex angle (13°) yields a more uniform solids distribution throughout the system     

热态下鼓泡浆液反应器的气含率研究

本文在热态条件下，研究了鼓泡浆液反应器的气含率、反应器直径为0.098m，物系组成为氮气－液体石腊－石英砂。考察了气速、压力、温度、静床高及固体引入等因素对气含率的影响。对于53μm粒子的三相浆态体系，气含率与表观气速关系式为εG=0.053uG^1.2。     

THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON BUBBLE DIAMETER AND GAS HOLDUP IN AERATED STIRRED TANKS

1 INTRODUCTIONBubble diameter distribution and gas holdup are very important parameters indicatingthe characteristics of gas-liquid dispersion,works done are mostly experimentalobservation.Theoretical analysis of bubble diameter has been mostly focused on thebreak-up of bubbles in the impeller region,and only the theoretical relationship be-tween bubble diameter and operating variables in the impeller region has been reported