HYDRODYNAMICS AND MASS TRANSFER IN BUBBLE COLUMNS: EFFECT OF SOLIDS

The hydrodynamics and mass transfer in a large diameter bubble column (D_c 0.305 m), specifically, the effects of gas velocity and the presence of solids on the gas holdup structure, gas-liquid interfacial area, and volumetric mass transfer coefficients in viscous as well as low viscosity solutions are studied. The sulfite oxidation technique was employed to measure the gas-liquid interfacial area. Volumetric mass transfer coefficients were measured using a chemical method (sulfite oxidation) as well as physical absorption of oxygen from air, and the overall gas holdups were measured using the hydrostatic head technique. The effect of solids on the gas holdup structure was examined using the dynamic gas disengagement method. With the addition of polystyrene particles, the gas-liquid interfacial area decreased for low viscosity systems, whereas it increased for viscous systems. This was shown to be due to the effect of solids on bubble coalescence. The wettability characteristics of solid surfaces in the presence of different liquids have been suggested as the reason for the effect of solids on coalescence. Oil shale slurries presented a special case because of the mineral dissolution effect.