Modeling for local dynamic behaviors of phenol biodegradation in bubble columns

A coupled three-dimensional (3-D) model, combining hydrodynamics with biochemical reactions, was developed to simulate the local transient flow patterns and the dynamic behaviors of cell growth and phenol biodegradation by yeast Candida tropicalis in the bubble-column bioreactor, using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method. In order to validate this proposed model effectively, the validation of the local hydrodynamic characteristics of the gas-mineral salt solution (gas-liquid) two-phase system, with the phenol concentration of 1200 mg/L, and with the absence of cells, was performed in a square-sectioned bubble column bioreactor using the LDA system and conductivity probe. Furthermore, the validation of phenol biodegradation behaviors by yeast Candida tropicalis at different initial concentrations of phenol and cell was also carried out in the above bubble-column bioreactor. The results indicated that the model simulations had a satisfying agreement with the experimental data. Finally, the local instantaneous flow and phenol biodegradation features including gas holdup, gas velocity, liquid velocity, cell concentration and phenol concentration inside the bioreactor were successfully predicted in different-scale bubble columns by the proposed model. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006     

Comparison of mass transfer efficiency in horizontal rotating packed beds and rotating biological contactors

In this study, the mass transfer efficiencies of a novel horizontal rotating packed (h‐RPB) bed and the conventional disc‐type rotating biological contactor (RBC) were studied at four speeds and seven submergences. Pall rings of two different sizes (25, 38 mm), superintalox saddles and a wiremesh spiral bundle were used as packings in the h‐RPB. Volumetric gas–liquid mass transfer coefficients were determined by unsteady state absorption of atmospheric oxygen in de‐aerated water. Power consumption per unit liquid volume has been found for all geometries tested. The oxygen transfer efficiency values for the h‐RPB were found to be 2–5 kg kWh^?1 and for the disc RBC were found to be 1–2 kg kWh^?1. The performance of the h‐RPB was also compared with other gas–liquid contactors such as surface aerators. The study proves that the h‐RPB is a energy efficient alternative to conventional contactors. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Extraction of halide quaternary salts in an organic solvent/water system: Hydrodynamics and mass transfer

The hydrodynamic characteristics and mass transfers of halide quaternary salts between two immiscible phases in a stirred membrane permeation cell were investigated. The concentration of quaternary salt, temperature, solvent and the four kinds of halide quaternary salts were evaluated to achieve the extractive optimum condition. The diffusivity, overall mass‐transfer coefficients and individual mass‐transfer coefficients were determined and correlated in terms of the conventional Sh‐Re‐Sc relationship. The transfer time of quaternary salts across the membrane and the thickness of the hydrodynamic diffusion boundary layer were determined as well, so as to characterize the extractive phenomenon of quaternary salts between the two phases that is useful in phase‐transfer catalysis.     

Drying Characteristics of Barley Grain Dried in a Spouted-Bed and Combined IR-Convection Dryers

A study was performed to determine the drying characteristics and quality of barley grain dried in a laboratory scale spouted-bed dryer at 30, 35, 40, and 45°C and an inlet air velocity of 23 m/s^-1, and in an IR-convection dryer under an infrared radiation intensity of 0.048, 0.061, 0.073, and 0.107 W cm^-2 at an air velocity of 0.5 m/s^-1. The results show that the first, relatively short, phase of a sharp decrease in the drying rate was followed by the phase of a slow decrease. The time of barley drying depended on temperature of inlet air in a spouted-bed dryer and on radiation intensities in an IR-convection dryer. Barley drying at 45°C in a spouted-bed dryer was accompanied by the lowest total energy consumption. The average specific energy consumption was lower and the average efficiency of drying was higher for drying in a spouted-bed dryer. The effective diffusivities were in the range 2.20-4.52 × 10^-11 m² s^-1 and 3.04-4.79 × 10^-11 m²/s^-1 for barley dried in a spouted-bed and in an IR-convection dryer, respectively. There were no significant differences in kernel germination energy and capacity between the two drying methods tested.     

湍流模型和网格分布对水下航行体回转水动力数值计算的影响

针对水下航行体安全操纵设计的关键环节水动力预报,用FLUENT求解不可压缩RANS方程,采用定常旋转运动坐标系,运用相对运动理论和运动叠加原理,计算RNG k-ε,可实现k-ε和SST k-ε等3种湍流模型以及不同网格分布对水下航行体做单平面回转运动所受垂向力和纵倾力矩,并与试验结果比较.结果表明在Re=11.7×106条件下,垂向力和纵倾力矩预报精度较高.该数值预报方法可行、有效,具有较好的工程实用价值.     

大液相负荷下斜孔塔板的流体力学性能

针对大液相负荷气液传质操作 ,通过冷模实验 ,重新确定了普通斜孔塔板的液体力学性能 ,并给出了新的关联式。同时基于普通正排斜孔塔板在大液量操作条件下压降大 ,泄漏和雾沫夹带严重等缺点 ,沿用梯形导向浮阀的思想 ,提出了变正排为斜排的改进方案 ,并在相同条件下对两者的液体力学性能进行初步比较。证明了斜排斜孔塔板是一种适合大液体处理量且操作弹性较宽的塔板     

Study of Hydrodynamics,Mixing and Gas‐Liquid Mass Transfer in a Split‐Rectangular Airlift Reactor

Global hydrodynamic characteristics, liquid mixing and gas‐liquid mass transfer for a 63 L split‐rectangular airlift reactor were studied. Correlations for gas holdup and overall liquid circulation velocity were derived for the air‐water system as a function of the specific power input; these were compared to data and correlations for reactor volumes between 4.7 L and 4600 L. A partial recirculation of small bubbles in the riser was observed when U_gr > 0.03 m/s, which was attributed to the use of a single‐orifice nozzle as the gas phase distributor. The dimensionless mixing time and the overall axial dispersion coefficient were nearly constant for the range of gas flow rates studied. However, values of K_L/d_B were greater than those reported in previous studies and this is caused by the partial recirculation of the gas phase in the riser. While scale effects remain slight, the use of a gas distributor favouring this partial recirculation seems adequate for mass transfer in split‐rectangular airlift reactors.     

Experimental Simulation of the Reactor Section of Fluid Cokers: Comparison of FCC and Fluid Coke Particles

The hydrodynamics of fluid cokers were studied in a pressurized fully cylindrical cold model of diameter 483 mm, geometrically and dynamically scaled down by a factor of ～20 from commercial units. Differential pressure fluctuations, voidage distributions, solids momentum flux distributions and steady state gas mixing behaviour in the reactor section are compared for the same operating conditions with two kinds of particles, FCC and fluid coke. The voidage distributions and core‐annular flow structures in the reactor section were similar enough that either FCC or fluid coke particles can be used for cold modelling of fluid cokers.     

Study on Jet Coflow Packing Tray

Experimental study on hydrodynamics and mass transfer efficiency of jet coflow packing tray (JCPT) was conducted in a φ285 mm column and a φ200 mm column, respectively. Compared with new vertical sieve tray which has been applied in the petrochemical industry since 1968, the JCPT has lower pressure drop, higher capacity and higher mass transfer efficiency, and seems promising in commercial application.