Mathematical Model for the Prediction of Gas-Liquid Mass Transfer in Airlift Contactors

https://doi.org/10.22146/ajche.50165

P. Pavasant(1), P. Wongsuchoto(2), V. Suksoir(3*)

(1) Department of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Engineering Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330 THAILAND
(2) 
(3) 
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


A mathematical model was proposed to explain the gas-liquid mass transfer behavior in an airlift contactor (ALC). The model separated the airlift contactor into three sections: riser, gas separator, and downcomer. The riser and downcomer were described using the dispersion model whilst the gas separator was modeled as a .completely mixed tank. All parameters needed for the model were obtained from independent experiments both carried out in this work and reported elsewhere. Simulation results were compared with a number of experimental data obtained from the systems with various geometrical and operational conditions. It was shown that the model could predict the oxygen mass transfer between phases in the ALC with reasonable accuracy. Keywords: Airlift contactor (ALC), dispersion model, mass transfer, mathematical model, and verification.

Keywords


Airlift contactor (ALC), dispersion model, mass transfer, mathematical model, and verification.

Full Text:

PDF


References

  1. Bouaifi, M., Hebrard, G., Bastoul, D., and, Roustan, M. (2001). "A comparative study of gas hold-up, bubble size, interfacial area and mass transfer coefficients in stirred gas-liquid reactors and bubble columns," Chem. Eng. Proc., 40, 97–111.
  2. Camarasa, E., Meleiro, L. A. C., Carvalho, E., Domingues, A., Fiho, R. M., Wild, G., Poncin, S., Midoux, N., and Bouillard, J. (2001). "A complete model for oxidation air-lift reactors," Comp. Chem. Eng., 25, 577-584.

  3. Chapra, S. C., and Canale, R. P. (1998). Numerical methods for engineers with programming and software applications, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York. Chisti, Y. (1998). "Pneumatically agitated bioreactors in industrial and environmental bioprocessing: Hydrodynamics,” Appl. Mech. Rev., 51, 33–112.

  4. Chisti, Y., and Moo-Young, M. (1987). "Airlift reactors: Characteristics, applications and design considerations," Chem. Eng. Commun, 60, 195–242.

  5. Chişti, M. Y., Halard, B., and Moo-Young, M. (1988). “Liquid circulation in airlift reactors," Chem. Eng. Sci., 43, 451-457.

  6. Choi, K. H. (1999). "A mathematical model for unsteady-state oxygen transfer in an external-loop airlift reactor," Korean. Chem. Eng., 16, 441-448.

  7. Dhaouadi. H., Poncin, S., Hornut, J. M., Wild. G., Oinas, P., and Korpijarvi, J. (1997). "Mass transfer in an external-loop airlift reactor: Experiments and modeling," Chem. Eng. Sci., 52, 3909–3917.

  8. Dhaouadi. H., Poncin, S., Midoux, N., and Wild, G. (2001). "Gas-liquid mass transfer in an airlift reactor-Analytical solution and experimental confirmation," Chem. Eng. Proc., 40, 129-133.

  9. Koide, K., Kurematsu, K., Iwamoto, S., Iwata, Y., and Horibe, K. (1983a). "Gas holdup and volumetric liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient in bubble column with draught tube and with gas dispersion into tube," J. Chem. Eng. Japan, 16, 413-419.

  10. Koide, K., Sato, H., and Iwamoto, W. (1983b). "Gas holdup and volumetric liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient in bubble column with draught tube and with gas dispersion into annulus," J. Chem. Eng. Japan, 16, 407-413

  11. Korpijarvi, J., Oinas, P., and Reunanen, J. (1999). “Hydrodynamics and mass transfer in an airlift reactor," Chem. Eng. Sci., 54, 2255-2262.

  12. Lindert, M., Kochbeck, B., Prüss, J., Warnecke, H.-J., and Hempel, D.C. (1992). "Scale up of airlift-loop bioreactors based on modeling the oxygen mass transfer," Chem. Eng. Sci., 47, 2281-2286.

  13. Mangartz, K.-H., and Pilhofer, T. H. (1981). “Interpretation of mass transfer measurements in bubbie columns considering dispersion of both phases," Chem. Eng. Sci., 36, 1069--1077.

  14. Merchuk, J. C., and Gluz, M. (1999). "Bioreactors, airlift reactors," Flickinger, M.C. and Drew, S.W., eds., Encycolpedia of bioprocess technology: Fermentation, biocatalysis and bioseparation, vol. 1. Wiley, New York, 320-353.

  15. Merchuk, J. C., and Stein, Y. (1981). "Local hoid up and liquid velocity in airlift reactors," AICHE J., 27, 377–388.

  16. Merchuk, J. C., Contreras, A., Garcia, F., and Molina, E. (1998). "Studies of mixing in a concentric tube airlift bioreactor with different spargers," Chem. Eng. Sci., 53, 709-719.

  17. Moustiri, S., Hebrard, G., Thakre, S. S., and Roustan, M. (2001). "A unified correlation for predicting liquid axial dispersion coefficient in bubble columns," Chem. Eng. Sci., 56, 1041-1047.

  18. Rüffer, H. M., Liwei Wan, Lübbert, A., and Schügerl, K. (1994). "Interpretation of gas residence time distributions in large airlift tower loop reactors," Bioproc. Eng., 11, 153-159.

  19. Tung, H.-L., Tu, C.-C., Chang, Y.-Y., and Wu, W. T. (1998). "Bubble characteristics and mass transfer in an airlift reactor with multiple net draft tubes," Bioproc. Eng., 18, 323–328.



DOI: https://doi.org/10.22146/ajche.50165

Article Metrics

Abstract views : 1610 | views : 964

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


ASEAN Journal of Chemical Engineering  (print ISSN 1655-4418; online ISSN 2655-5409) is published by Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada.