Coupled two-phase mass transfer to spherical drops — Trace gas absorption and oxidation by a single drop

Mass transfer across gas and liquid boundary layers into the core of drops with liquid phase first order chemical reaction has been analyzed for spherical drops in the Reynolds number range of 50 < Re_g < 400. The realistic and computationally efficient simulation of this gas absorption system is applicable in a variety of engineering fields including gas-liquid mass transfer in drops and sprays. The present paper deals with the fluid mechanics and mass transfer with chemical reaction of a single drop. In computer experiments good predictive agreement has been achieved with measured data. The theoretical results were generalized to show the influence of three major system parameters: Peclet number Pe_g or Pe_l Damköhler number Da and the distribution coefficient at the gas-liquid interface, M, on mass transfer and to demonstrate the importance of coupled gas- and liquid-phase resistances to gas absorption under practical conditions.