OXYGEN TRANSFER IN HORIZONTAL PIPELINE AERATORS WITH NOZZLES

Horizontal pipeline and tubular loop aerators are of interest for fermentation and waste water treatment and are ideally suited for continuous processing. A major drawback is that these pipeline contactors invariably operate in the “elongated bubble and plug” regime in which the mass transfer rate is low. This article evaluates the performance of a horizontal pipeline aerator fitted with nozzles equispaced along its length to enhance mass transfer rates by promoting turbulence and augmenting effective interfacial area. Such devices can also be advantageously used in long pipe lines as in the case of treating waste while it is being transported. Pressure drop and overall liquid-side mass transfer coefficient data are reported as functions of liquid (water) and gas flow rates and nozzle size and spacing. It is shown that for all the conditions studied, k_La = 0.026(ΔP/L)^1.036 and that the pressure gradient is given by a simple correlation, provided an empirical parameter which characterises a nozzle is known. Preliminary investigations on the effect of surfactant ad the presence of suspended solids (size 75 μm) on mass transfer coefficient are also reported. Very high values of power dissipation can be achieved in such aerators without mechanically moving parts and high values of mass transfer coefficient can be realized.     

ESTIMATION OF FUNCTIONS IN DRYING EQUATIONS

In drying problem, particularly for drying foodstuff, modelling is very difficult. Many physical effects have to be taken into account for mass transfer ; then mass transfer coefficient varies

In different models unknown functions must be estimated. It is particularly the case in simple models of drying using average values of water content, where the mass transfer varies versus mean water content in falling rate period. On the other hand in the “diffusion model” we have the same problem concerning the diffusion coefficient which must be also estimated

The method we propose in this paper for these two models : simple and “diffusion model” of drying consists from measurements of temperature and water content of the product to search a numerical approach of the unknown function. This method uses optimization techniques on computer and least squares criterion between model values and experimental data

Results are given for the “diffusion model” applied to shelled corn drying to find the diffusion coefficient and for a simple 11107 del applied to plum drying to find the mass transfer coefficient.     

Gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient in stirred tanks interpreted through models of idealized eddy structure of turbulence in the bubble vicinity

Experimental data on the average mass transfer liquid film coefficient (k_L) in an aerated tank stirred by two Rushton turbines on common shaft are presented. Liquid media used were distilled water and 0.5 M sodium sulphate solution. Volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k_La) was measured by the dynamic pressure method with pure oxygen absorption. Specific interfacial area a was taken from Alves et al. [Chem. Eng. Proc., in press] who measured data on local gas hold-up and local average bubble diameter in the same apparatus and batches. Values of k_L are quantitatively interpreted in terms of correlations based on idealized eddy structures of turbulence in the bubble vicinity, namely by “eddy” model by Lamont and Scott [AIChE J. 16 (1970) 513] in the form of k_L=0.523(eν/ρ)^0.25(D/ν)^1/2, which fits the data with the mean deviation of 4.7%. It is shown that the decisive quantity to correlate k_L in the stirred tank is power dissipated in the liquid phase rather than the bubble diameter and the slip velocity as assumed by Alves et al.     

PREDICTION AND RATIONAL CORRELATION OF THERMOPHORETICALLY REDUCED PARTICLE MASS TRANSFER TO HOT SURFACES ACROSS LAMINAR OR TURBULENT FORCED-CONVECTION GAS BOUNDARY LAYERS†

An approach originally developed to predict and correlate the thermophoretically-augmented submicron particle mass transfer rate to cold surfaces is shown here to account extremely well for the thermophoretically reduced particle mass transfer rate to “overheated” surfaces experiencing either a forced boundary layer (BL)-flow of laminar or turbulent dusty gas. This laminar BL/hot wall situation occurs, e.g., in hot surface/cold envelope chemical reactors used for growing epitaxial silicon layers from mainstreams containing, say, silane vapor and inadvertent submicron dust particles. “Thermo-phoretic blowing” is shown to produce effects on particle concentration BL-structure and wall mass transfer rates identical to those produced by real blowing (transpiration) through a porous wall. Indeed, a “blowing parameter additivity” relationship is proposed to account for the simultaneous effects of both phenomena should they be acting in concert (or in opposition). Exact numerical BL calculations covering the parameter ranges: l≤T_w/T_e6, (particle thermophoretic-/gas thermal- diffusivity ratios between )0·1 and 0·8 and particle Schmidt numbers between 10⁰ and 2 × 10³ are used to establish the validity of the basic forced convection mass transfer correlations for self-similar laminar BLs and law-of-the-wall turbulent BLs. This includes parametric combinations of immediate engineering interest for which the deposition rate is thermophoretically reduced by no less than 10-decades! The applicability of our correlations to developing BL-situations is then illustrated using a numerical example relevant to wet-steam turbine technology.     

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE GAS HOLD UP AND BUBBLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN HIGHLY VISCOUS LIQUIDS II. CMC SOLUTIONS

Following properties of short bubble columns employing CMC solutions (1.0, 1.4 and 2.0%) and perforated plates (0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mm hole diameters) were determined: relative mean gas hold up, E_G, bubble size distribution, Sauter bubble diameter, d_s, and the specific geometrical bubble surface areas, a' and a' due to the “intermediate to large bubbles.” The a' values were compared with the corresponding volumetric mass transfer coefficients, k_La's and the mass transfer coefficients, k_L, were estimated. The properties of these systems were investigated as function of the superficial gas velocity, W_SG, CMC concentration and aerator type.     

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE GAS HOLD UP AND BUBBLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN HIGHLY VISCOUS LIQUIDS I. GLYCEROL SOLUTIONS

The overall gas hold up, E_G, and bubble size distribution were separated into the particular gas hold up, E_GK, and Sauter diameter. d_SG. due to “small bubbles” as well as E_GG and d_SG, due to “intermediate to large bubbles.” Bubbles are defined to be “small” if they remain in the bubbling layer 15 seconds after the gas flow is turned off. The bubbles which leave the layer during this time are considered to be “intermediate to large bubbles.” The time dependences of E_G E_GK and E_GG, as well as of bubble size distribution after initiating the aeration of the liquid, is investigated. The steady state E_G, E_GK and E_GG, Sauter diameter and specific geometrical surface area of “small” and “intermediate to large” bubbles as well as of the entire bubble population were determined in bubble columns employing 50, 70, 90 and 95% glycerol solutions and perforated plates with different hole diameters (d_H = 0.5. 1.0 and 3.0 mm) respectively. In highly viscous media the “small” and “very large” bubble fractions are high. A comparison of the specific geometrical bubble surface areas with the corresponding volumetric mass transfer coefficients, k_La's, measured earlier indicate that the “small” bubbles do not contribute to k_La. The influence of the “small” bubbles on the fluiddynamics of the two phase system is discussed.     

Mass transfer coefficient in the eductor liquid-liquid extraction column

In this research gasoil desalting was investigated from mass transfer point of view in an eductor liquid–liquid extraction column (eductor-LLE device). Mass transfer characteristics of the eductor-LLE device were evaluated and an empirical correlation was obtained by dimensional analysis of the dispersed phase Sherwood number. The Results showed that the overall mass transfer coefficient of the dispersed phase and extraction efficiency have been increased by increasing Sauter mean diameter (SMD) and decreasing the nozzle diameter from 2 to 1 mm, respectively. The effects of Reynolds number (Re), projection ratio (ratio of the distance between venturi throat and nozzle tip to venturi throat diameter, R_pr), venturi throat area to nozzle area ratio (R_th-n) and two phases flow rates ratio (R_Q) on the mass transfer coefficient (K) were determined. According to the results, K increase with increasing Re and R_Q and also with decreasing R_pr and R_th-n. Semi-empirical models of drop formation, rising and coalescence were compared with our proposed empirical model. It was revealed that the present model provided a relatively good fitting for the mass transfer model of drop coalescence. Moreover, experimental data were in better agreement with calculated data with AARE value of 0.085.     

Efficiency of a Gas‐Liquid Contactor for the Oxygenation of Activated Sludge: Assessment of Mass Transfer Coefficient

The aim of this work is to investigate a co‐current air‐liquid downward flow bubble column with air entrainment by liquid injection nozzle in order to use it as an aerator in activated sludge treatment plants. The study concerns the determination of mass transfer efficiency by measuring the mass transfer coefficient, k_La, both in clean water and in activated sludge. In clean water, this parameter is determined by three methods, i.e., gassing out method, absorption with chemical reaction and off‐gas method. In activated sludge medium, k_La values are measured by two methods, i.e., sludge reoxygenation and the hydrogen‐peroxide method. The values of k_La obtained in clean water are compared to those obtained in sludge, enabling the assessment of the α factor, i.e., ratio of oxygen transfer coefficient sludge/clean water. The results are in good agreement with those reported previously in the literature.     

Mass transfer and hydrodynamic characteristics in a co‐current downflow contacting column

Hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics of water–air system in a co‐current downflow contacting column (CDCC) were studied for various nozzle diameters at different superficial gas velocities and liquid re‐circulation rates. Gas hold‐up and liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient increased with increasing superficial gas velocity and liquid flow rate but decreased with increasing nozzle diameter. It is shown that correlations developed, which are based on liquid kinetic power per liquid volume present in the column, and superficial gas velocity explains gas hold‐up and the mass transfer coefficient within an error 20% for all gas and liquid flow rates and nozzle diameters used. The constants of correlations for gas hold‐up and mass transfer coefficient were found to be considerably different from other gas–liquid contacting systems. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Walden product, ion-solvent interactions and solvent structure in water-rich mixtures ionic conductances in water-sulfolane, water-acetonitrile and water-dimethylsulfoxide

Conductance measurements are reported for several salts in binary aqueous mixtures containing up to 60 mole % sulfolane, 20 mole % acetonitrile and 20 mole % dimethylsulfoxide. The variations of R = (λ^±₀η₀)_s/(λ^±₀η₀)_w with solvent composition have been compared with those observed in other water-rich mixtures. Alkali cations show R values greater than one with maxima in all the solvent mixtures. This behaviour has been discussed in terms of “sorting”, “averaging” and “steric” effects. Contrary to what happens to alkali cations, halide ions show R values greater or lesser than one according to whether the organic solvent respectively increases or decreases water structure. On these bases we suggest that conductometric behaviour of the halide ions may be indicative of the effect of the cosolvent on the water structure in water-rich mixtures and that DMSO is a water structure breaker.     

Experimental study of falling film evaporation heat transfer outside horizontal tubes

The heat transfer process of falling film horizontal evaporation includes evaporation outside tubes and condensation inside tubes, the heat transfer coefficient of the former is about 50% of that of the latter. So the overall heat transfer coefficient is influenced mainly by the falling film evaporation outside tubes. An experimental study of falling film heat transfer outside horizontal tubes was carried out in order to show how the heat transfer coefficient is affected by different parameters such as flow density evaporation temperatures, temperature difference between wall and saturation water, and mass concentration of the seawater. Experiments were conducted using 14 mm outer diameter Al-brass tubes heated by internal electric heaters so that a uniform heat flux was generated on the outside surface of tubes. The results show that when flow density Γ varies between 0.013 kg/ms < Γ< 0.062 kg/ms, the heat stransfer coefficient of falling film evaporation outside horizontal tubes h increases with the increase in liquid feeding, evaporation boiling temperature and heat flux. h also increases with an increase in distributor height, however there is a maximum height in which any height above this. Besides, the amount of non-condensing gas has significant effect on h. The difference of heat transfer coefficient between freshwater and seawater is small. These results contribute to further improving the performance of heat transfer process and developing new evaporator.     

Electrolytic mass transfer around inclined cylinders in static magnetic fields

The influence of static magnetic fields on mass transfer rates in the electroreduction of ferocyanide ions around an inclined cylindrical cathode was studied experimentally with a supporting electrolyte. The mass transfer rate was found to be increased by applying the magnetic field. The obtained mass transfer coefficient was correlated well be a non-dimensional regression equation by using a new dimensionless term, “magneto-diffusion factor”, instead of the Hartmann number to express the contribution of the applied magnetic flux density.     

CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF DISSOLVED OXYGEN-FREE WATER USING RAMOND SUPERMIXER®

The process of continuous production of dissolved oxygen free water was investigated by means of desorption of dissolved oxygen into fine nitrogen bubbles generated in a novel motionless mixer named Ramond Supermixer® (RSM). The pressure drop across the mixer (ΔP_SM) and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k_La) during the desorption of oxygen from water were measured for various combinations of process variables; liquid and gas velocities and number of mixing units. The k_La during absorption was smaller by less than approximately 6% than that during desorption. Specific gas-liquid interfacial areas (a) were measured by the chemical absorption method for a CO₂-aqueous sodium hydroxide solution system. Such process characteristics as ΔP_SM, k_La, and a were correlated with the process variables and compared with those available in the literature. To further confirm the mass transfer characteristics in RSM, the desorption of oxygen from aqueous electrolyte solutions was also investigated. All the correlations obtained for k_La during the desorption of oxygen from water and aqueous electrolyte solutions were compatible to a great higher extent.     

孔板管道流动加速腐蚀受温度影响的数值模拟

电厂汽水管道的运行中,流动加速腐蚀（FAC）普遍存在且威胁着管道系统。为很好预测电厂管道流动加速腐蚀,本文基于电厂管道实际工况,采用流体动力学软件根据温度变化相应地调整水的物性参数,模拟了孔板管道下的流场,观察高速及高湍流动能分布区域,模拟计算得到不同温度下溶解度、速度、壁面剪切力及传质系数的变化,并结合流动加速腐蚀预测模型更精确地分析了温度对流动加速腐蚀的影响。结果显示：温度通过影响速度及黏性系数,进一步影响到壁面剪切力及传质系数,最终影响到FAC速率;传质系数与溶解度均受温度影响,在150℃以下,温度对FAC速率的影响显著且主要是通过传质系数实现的;FAC速率在Z/D≈0.7~1.0达到峰值,在Z/D≈3.8~4.3出现第二峰,这两处为孔板管道高危腐蚀区域。     

Gas–liquid interfacial area and mass transfer coefficient in a co‐current down flow contacting column

The gas–liquid interfacial area and mass transfer coefficient for absorption of oxygen from air into water, aqueous glycerol solutions up to 1.5% (w/w) and fermentation medium containing glucose up to a 3% concentration were determined in a co‐current down flow contacting column (CDCC; 0.05 m i.d. and 0.8 m length). Experimental studies were conducted using various nozzle diameters at different gas and re‐circulation liquid rates. Specific interfacial area (a) is determined from the fractional gas hold‐up (ε_G) and the average bubble diameter (d_b). Once the interfacial area is determined, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k_La) is then used to evaluate the film mass transfer coefficient in the CDCC. The effects of operating conditions and liquid properties on the specific interfacial area were investigated. The values of interfacial area in air–aqueous glycerol solutions and fermentation media were found to be lower than those in the air–water system. As far as experimental conditions were concerned, the values of interfacial area obtained from this study were found to be considerably higher than those of the literature values of conventional bubble columns. The penetration theory is used to interpret the film mass transfer coefficient and results match the experimental k_L data reasonably well. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

HEAT TRANSFER FROM IMMERSED TUBES IN A BAFFLED SLURRY BUBBLE COLUMN

Heat transfer coefficients have been measured from heat transfer tube bundles simulating heat exchanger configurations and surrounding two-phase and three-phase dispersions in a slurry bubble column. The tube bundles are comprised of a single tube, and five-, seven-, and thirty-seven tubes of 19 mm outer diameter. The Pyrex glass bubble column is 0.305 m internal diameter and 3.30 m tall and is heated electrically by internal heaters to temperatures in the range 298 to 353 K. Air, water and glass beads are used as gas, liquid and solid phases respectively. Heat transfer coefficients are measured for air-water, and air-water-glass bead systems as a function of air velocity up to about 0.3 m/s, and solids concentration up to about 30 weight percent in slurries of glass beads of average diameters 125, 168 and 212 μm at temperatures of 298, 323, 343 and 353 K. The nondimensional correlation available for heat transfer coefficient is also examined and modifications in its form are proposed on the basis of experimental data. Heat transfer coefficient values are compared with the predictions based on correlations due to Deckwer et al., Suh and Deckwer, Kim et al., and Pandit and Joshi. These correlations are inadequate and hence a semitheoretical correlation is proposed which synthesizes the data successfully. The influence of tube bundle size on heat transfer coefficient is discussed     

Analysis of flow pattern and heat transfer in direct contact condensation

In direct contact condensation (DCC) phenomenon, whenever steam (vapor) is injected with very high velocity in sub-cooled water, the momentum and the energy of the steam is transferred to the surrounding liquid, leading to generation of flow pattern, turbulent in nature. The turbulent flow pattern enhances the heat transfer coefficient at the interface of steam jet and water (vapor-liquid interface) as well as at the immersed surfaces (solid-liquid interface). The flow and the temperature pattern in DCC system have been measured using hot film anemometer (HFA). The values of heat transfer coefficient at the vapor-liquid and solid-liquid interface were estimated using the CCA module of the HFA. The nozzle diameter (d₀) was varied in the range of 1-2 mm and the nozzle upstream pressure in the range of 0.3-0.35 MPa (corresponding velocities in the nozzle were 286-304 m/s). The time series of velocity and temperature at the interface were analyzed to get the rates of surface renewal. A comparison has been presented between the predicted and the experimental values of heat transfer coefficient.     

State of hydration of the proton and the transition between molten-salt and aqueous-solution double-layer and kinetic behaviour

The influence of the state of hydration of the proton, from H₃O⁺ in the room-temperature melt, H₃O⁺. CF₃SO⁻₃, to 1 M aqueous in CF₃SO₃H solution in water, on the interfacial capacitance behaviour of the Au electrode is reported. The results allow the transition from “molten-salt” to “aqueous-solution” double-layer capacitance behaviour to be evaluated.

At positive potentials, near the potential for onset of surface oxidation of Au by OH, the interfacial capacitance is dominated by a pseudo-capacitance associated with chemisorption of the anion CF₃SO⁻₃, with charge transfer. At negative potentials in the range in which cathodic H₂ evolution occurs, the capacitance varies from ca 23 to ca 50 μF cm⁻², with the maximum arising around a degree of proton hydration corresponding to H₇O⁺₃.

Cathodic H₂ evolution kinetics have been studied from the same proton sources and show characteristic dependences of log i_o and the heat of activation on the hydration-state of H⁺. The Tafel slopes decrease with increasing temperature, giving a further example of non-conventional behaviour of the transfer coefficient.     

The effect of cathodic water on performance of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell

A simple analytical model of water transport in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is developed. Nonlinear membrane resistance and voltage loss due to incomplete membrane humidification are calculated. Both values depend on parameter r, the ratio of mass transport coefficients of water in the membrane and in the backing layer. Simple equation for cell performance curve, which incorporates the effect of cathodic water is constructed. Depending of the value of r, the cell may operate in one of the two regimes. When r ≥ 1, incomplete membrane humidification simply reduces cell voltage; the limiting current density is determined by oxygen transport in the backing layer (oxygen-limiting regime). If r < 1, limiting current density is determined by membrane drying (water-limiting regime). In that case there exists optimal current density, which provides minimal membrane resistance. It is shown that membrane drying may lead to parasitic “in-plane” proton current.     

Liquid-phase mass transfer within KATAPAK-S structures studied using computational fluid dynamics simulations

The liquid-phase mass transfer within the catalyst-packed criss-crossing sandwich structures of KATAPAK-S has been studied with the use of computational fluid dynamics. Due to the “upheaval” caused by the flow splitting at the crossovers, the mass transfer coefficient is about 40% times larger than for fully developed laminar flow in a single, packed tube.