| Abstract: | The mixing and mass transfer characteristics in concentric-tube airlift gas-liquid contactors intended for possible use as fermenters are discussed. Liquid velocities, circulation times, gas hold-ups, and volumetric mass transfer coefficients were measured in water and aqueous carboxy methyl cellulose solutions. Measurements were made in an inverted conical-bottom device with draft tubes of three different diameters. An increase of liquid velocities at the column axis and a corresponding decrease of volumetric mass transfer coefficients due to the introduction of draft tubes were found for water as the liquid medium. For the non-Newtonian fluids, a complicating influence of the draft tubes on liquid velocity and mass transfer, which is attributed to a combination of factors related to improvement of liquid circulation and reduction of apparent viscosity, was observed. |
