Effects of baffle length on mass transfer in a parallel plate rectangular electrochemical cell

Global mass transfer measurements in unbaffled and baffled configurations using different baffle lengths and Reynolds numbers have been made in a parallel plate cell of rectangular geometry. The entry jet arrangement and the repeated 180° changes in direction of the flow, followed by the exit, produces extremely complex hydrodynamics in the cell. A plot of mass transfer coefficient against baffle length shows an increase in mass transfer with baffle length. Comparison of data for the present work with those of other workers for similar devices showed higher mass transfer due to the modifications incorporated in the present cell.     

Mixed convection mass transfer studies of opposing and aiding flow in a parallel plate electrochemical flow cell

Studies of combined natural and forced convection in a vertical parallel plate electrochemical cell in laminar conditions in cases of opposing and aiding flow are reported. In an ongoing project it was necessary to identify conditions in which natural convection had no significant influence on mass transfer rates at the cell walls so that data could be validly compared with purely laminar flow computational models. For the different electrode lengths investigated, natural convection dominated at low Reynolds number and there was no Reynolds number dependence. At high Reynolds number the data approached the laminar flow solution. At intermediate Reynolds number, however, there existed a distinct region where free and forced convection were significant. At high electrolyte concentrations data did not merge with laminar flow equations until Re=1000 and low electrolyte concentration data for the large plate could not be compared with numerical predictions below Re of 250. An attempt was made to compare the data with those of other workers on combined forced and natural convection heat and mass transfer.     

A model for Kolbe electrolysis in a parallel plate reactor

A parallel-plate reactor model is developed for the Kolbe electrolysis of acetate to ethane and carbon dioxide with hydrogen evolution as the counterelectrode reaction. The parallel-plate reactor is considered to consist of three zones: a turbulent bulk region in which streamwise convection is the dominant mass-transport mechanism (plug-flow model) and a thin diffusion layer at each electrode where diffusion and migration mass transport are dominant (Nernst diffusion-layer model). The acetic acid solution is supported with sodium hydroxide, and the reactor is under steady cell-potential control. Gaseous products are tracked by a hypothetical gas layer which increases in thickness in the streamwise direction. The gas phase is assumed to be an ideal, three-component mixture of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and ethane; the liquid phase consists of acetate, proton, acetic acid, and sodium and hydroxyl ions. The model predicts streamwise profiles of concentration, current density, gas-void fraction, and gas and liquid velocities in addition to reactant conversion, and cell-polarization characteristics. The average current density exhibits a maximum at a base-to-acid ratio of 0.96 due to the weak-acid/strong-base chemistry and a broad maximum at an interelectrode spacing of 0.37 cm resulting from minimized ohmic losses.     

Laminar and turbulent mass transfer simulations in a parallel plate reactor

Laminar and turbulent mass transfer in a parallel plate reactor at high Schmidt number obtained from numerical simulation is compared with literature data. In a first step, the fluid flow is determined numerically in the reactor by solving the Navier–Stokes equations. For turbulent flow, a low Reynolds number k— model is used to calculate the turbulent viscosity. Using the obtained flow field and turbulent viscosity, the current density distribution is calculated for different flow velocities by solving the equations describing the transport of multiple ions due to diffusion, convection and migration. For the laminar case, a very good agreement with literature data is obtained. For turbulent flow, different numerical models for turbulent mass transfer are proposed in the literature. A detailed study of the behaviour close to the wall of these different turbulence models is presented, together with a comparison of the calculated results with literature correlations. This allows identification of the benefits and disadvantages of each of the turbulence models for the numerical calculation of mass transfer at high Schmidt numbers in a parallel plate reactor.     

电化学反应器流动和传质特性的仿真研究

提出了一种基于双面BDD电极的平行板结构的电化学反应器,它通过阳极和阴极交替排列引导污水多通道蜿蜒流动,实现了三维传质的增强。利用OpenFOAM分析了四阳极结构反应器的流动特性和传质特性,结果表明该结构的反应器在低入口流体雷诺数下传质系数低,分布不均,当入口雷诺数大于500时流体出现不稳定,传质增强。     

Particle-liquid mass transfer in three phase sparged reactor

Particle-liquid mass transfer in a three phase sparged reactor has been studied over a wide range of particle sizes, for the chum-turbulent regime. The particle-liquid Sherwood number has been correlated in the usual form with the Reynolds and Schmidt numbers. Use of the hindered particle settling velocity in the Reynolds number yields good agreement (±20%) with the present as well as most of the literature data. The proposed correlation also holds for power law non-Newtonian liquids when the effective viscosity is used.     

Gas holdup,bubble size distribution,and mass transfer in an airlift reactor with ceramic membrane and perforated plate distributor

The airlift reactor is one of the most commonly used gas–liquid two-phase reactors in chemical and biological processes. The objective of this study is to generate different-sized bubbles in an internal loop airlift reactor and characterize the behaviours of the bubbly flows. The bubble size, gas holdup, liquid circulation velocity, and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient of gas–liquid two-phase co-current flow in an internal loop airlift reactor equipped with a ceramic membrane module (CMM) and a perforated-plate distributor (PPD) are measured. Experimental results show that CMM can generate small bubbles with Sauter mean diameter d₃₂ less than 2.5 mm. As the liquid inlet velocity increases, the bubble size decreases and the gas holdup increases. In contrast, PPD can generate large bubbles with 4 mm < d₃₂ < 10 mm. The bubble size and liquid circulation velocity increase as the superficial gas velocity increases. Multiscale bubbles with 0.5 mm < d₃₂ < 10 mm can be generated by the CMM and PPD together. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient k_La of the multiscale bubbles is 0.033–0.062 s⁻¹, while that of small bubbles is 0.011–0.057 s⁻¹. Under the same flow rate of oxygen, the k_La of the multiscale bubbles increases by up to 160% in comparison to that of the small bubbles. Finally, empirical correlations for k_La are obtained.     

Gas holdup and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient in a modified reversed flow jet loop reactor

Experiments were conducted in a modified reversed flow jet loop reactor having the liquid outlet at the top of the reactor to determine the gas holdup and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient in the air-water system. The influence of gas and liquid flow rates, and the draft tube to reactor diameter ratio were studied. It was observed that both gas holdup and volumetric mass transfer coefficient increased with increased gas and liquid flow rates and were found to be significantly higher in the modified reactor compared to the conventional one. The optimum draft tube to reactor diameter ratio was found to be in the range of 0.4 to 0.5. Empirical correlations are presented to predict gas holdup and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient in terms of operational and geometrical variables.     

气升式外环流反应器的体积传质系数

以Higbie的渗透理论和Kolmogoroff的湍流理论为基础,提出了计算液体旋涡在气液相界面暴露时间的方法,并建立了预测体积传质系数的模型方程。在不同管径比下的外环流反应器中,对空气 水体系测定了操作气速对体积传质系数、循环液速和气含率的影响。将体积传质系数与表观气速和下降管与上升管的面积比按幂函数进行关联,其预测值和试验值符合较好。     

Free convective mass transfer at horizontal single screens and arrays of horizontal screens in relation to electrochemical reactor design

Rates of free convection mass transfer at horizontal screens made of woven cylindrical wires were studied by measuring the limiting current of copper deposition from acidified copper sulphate solutions for a horizontal screen surrounded by a cylindrical counter‐electrode. Variables studied were screen characteristic parameters and the physical properties of solutions. The data were correlated by a new mass transfer correlation. Mass transfer measurements at arrays of separated horizontal screens revealed that screen spacing has a little effect on the rate of array mass transfer. On the other hand, increasing the number of screens per array was found to decrease the rate of array mass transfer. Implications of the present results for the design and operation of electrochemical reactors suitable for heavy metal removal from waste water and electrosynthesis are noted.     

Mass transfer behaviour of a flow-by fixed bed electrochemical reactor composed of a vertical stack of screens under single and upward two phase flow

Rates of mass transfer were studied at a vertical array of closely packed screens under single and two phase (gas–liquid) flow by measuring the limiting current for the cathodic reduction of ferricyanide ions. Variables studied were screen characteristics (mesh number and wire diameter), physical properties of the solution, solution flow rate, gas flow rate and the effect of surface active agents. The single phase data were correlated by the equation:J = 0.52 Re_L^-0.55while the two phase data were correlated by the equations:Sh=0.87 Sc^0.33 Re_L^0.35 Re_g^0.12for the conditions 10 < Re < 125 and 1.4 < Re_g < 77; andSh=0.62 Sc^0.33Re_L^0.11Re_g^0.25for the conditions 1.1 < Re_L < 22 and 1.4 < Re_g < 77. The presence of surfactant was found to reduce the rate of mass transfer in both single phase and two phase flow, the percentage reduction being higher in the case of single phase flow.     

顺流型溶液与空气热质交换性能

在顺流型平板降膜热质交换测试装置上对氯化锂水溶液与湿空气除湿、再生性能进行了实验研究,结合NTU-Le模型,着眼于湿空气与溶液耦合热质交换特性,获取了顺流条件下不同空气流量、溶液流量、溶液温度工况的耦合传热传质系数随运行参数的变化情况。研究结果为相关过程模型验证提供可靠数据,同时也为相关设备性能分析与计算提供重要基础数据。     

微孔射流毛细管反应器内液-液两相传质和反应选择性

微反应技术在化工过程强化领域已得到广泛应用,尤其适用于快速复杂竞争反应体系。对于液-液两相快速竞争反应,反应过程受传质限制,显著影响反应转化率和收率。本文开发了一种新型的微孔射流毛细管反应器（MJCM）,采用微孔射流强化进口处液-液两相传质性能,分别采用水-苯甲酸-煤油体系和水-氢氧化钠-甲苯-苯甲酸-氯乙酸乙酯体系研究了不同操作参数（流量、流量比、表面活性剂浓度、温度）和结构参数（孔径、管长）下液-液两相传质特性和反应选择性,并获得了舍伍德数Sh的关联式。结果表明：随着两相流量的增加,传质效率E呈下降趋势,总体积传质系数k_La呈增加趋势,反应选择性指数X_s则先减小后增大;孔径的增大则会减弱液液传质和反应选择性;随着毛细管长的增加,E和X_s逐渐增大,k_La则逐渐减小;水相-有机相流量比的变化对E和k_La会产生不同影响,而温度的适当升高则可以提升反应选择性,表面活性剂的加入降低了传质和反应选择性。与其他液液传质设备对比,MJCM在液-液两相传质、反应选择性方面性能良好,可以用于工业生产进行液液传质与反应过程的强化。     

微通道反应器的一维放大及气液传质特性

微通道反应器能有效增强气液间传质,但处理能力受限。为了提高微通道的处理量,对微通道反应器的一维放大及气-液传质特性进行了研究。以乙醇胺（MEA）和甲基二乙醇胺（MDEA）混合水溶液吸收CO₂为研究物系,在通道深度恒定时,考察了微通道宽度、气液流速对传质特性的影响。结果表明,传质系数和体积传质系数均随通道宽度先增大后缓慢减小,在通道宽度为1000 μm时达到最大值。比表面积随通道宽度的增大而降低。因此,合理增大微通道宽度,可在提高处理能力的同时,仍然保持良好的传质特性。     

Ionic mass transfer in parallel plate electrochemical cells

Experimental investigations have been made of ionic mass transfer in a parallel plate electrochemical cell under both laminar and turbulent flow. The results obtained in the laminar flow region were found to be well represented by a Leveque-type equation modified to include the cell aspect ratio as an additional parameter. The influence of decreased mass transfer at the edges of the electrodes due to changes in the velocity profile was found to be small. For the turbulent region, there is a correlation of the mass transfer coefficient with Reynolds number to an exponent of 0.875 and Schmidt number to exponent of 0.21. This is in accord with existing correlations for heat and mass transfer in similar geometries over the range studied.     

Studies on the hydrodynamic behavior and mass transfer in a down‐flow jet loop reactor with a coaxial draft tube

The effects of certain pertinent parameters such as gas and liquid flow rates and nozzle position on the behavior of a down‐flow jet loop reactor (DJR) have been studied. The mean residence times of gas and liquid phases and the gas holdup within the reactor have been measured. In addition, the overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient, and the influence of the gas flow rate and the position of the nozzle inside the draft tube on the latter has been determined. Correlations have been presented for the gas holdup and k_La which take into account the length of the draft tube and the nozzle immersion height. The k_La values obtained at different power per unit volume (P/V) values in the DJR used in the present study compare favorably with data presented for stirred tanks and bubble columns in the literature. The liquid residence time distribution (RTD) within the reactor has been studied by tracer analysis for various operating conditions and nozzle immersion height and the results are indicative of the high mixing intensities that can be obtained in such reactions. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mass transfer behaviour of a fixed bed electrochemical reactor with a gas evolving upstream counter electrode

Mass transfer rates were determined at a horizontal screen cathode stirred by oxygen bubbles evolved at a horizontal anode placed below the screen by measuring the limiting current of the cathodic reduction of ferricyanide ion from alkaline solution. Variables studied were oxygen discharge rate, ferricyanide concentration and number of closely packed screens forming the cathode. For a single screen cathode the data were correlated by the equation: J = 0.249 (Re Fr)^-0.25 The mass transfer coefficient was found to decrease with increasing the number of screens forming the cathode. Implications of the present work for improving the performance of the flow-through packed bed electrochemical reactor were highlighted.     

装配水平筛板的气升式反应器中气液传质特性的数值模拟

利用Turbulent–Lehr组合模型对装配水平筛板的气升式反应器进行了计算流体力学(CFD)模拟,研究水平筛板对气含率、气泡直径、体积传质系数(kLa)和气液流速的影响。结果表明,筛板对气相的囤积作用和对液相的阻碍作用增加了反应器的整体气含率。筛板对气相的二次均布作用减弱了筛板和液面之间区域的气泡聚并过程,筛板筛孔对气泡的破碎作用产生了大量小于初始直径的气泡,增加了气泡比表面积(a);筛板对液相的阻碍作用提高了筛板附近的气–液相流动速度差,从而提高了该区域的液膜传质系数(kL),强化了反应器内的气液传质效果。     

Effect of external mass transfer in a packed bed reactor system for a reversible enzyme reaction

A mathematical model was developed to describe the effect of external mass transfer for a packed-bed enzyme reactor in which a reversible, one-substrate, two-intermediate enzyme reaction took place. The model equation was applied to the analysis of an immobilized glucose isomerase reactor system. A Colburn-type mass transfer correlation was obtained from the Colburn j-factor versus Reynolds number plot: i.e., j_D = 0.045N_Re^−0.48. The values of mass transfer coefficient for the system under study ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 cm h⁻¹ depending on the substrate flow rate. Very good agreements were observed between the computer simulation using a plug flow reactor model with the derived mass transfer correlation and the experimental results obtained from the packed-bed reactor operation.