Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

On the Design of Bubble Columns Equipped with a Fine Pore Sparger: Effect of Gas Properties

Version 1 : Received: 2 February 2018 / Approved: 5 February 2018 / Online: 5 February 2018 (03:45:04 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Kanaris, A.G.; Pavlidis, T.I.; Chatzidafni, A.P.; Mouza, A.A. The Effects of the Properties of Gases on the Design of Bubble Columns Equipped with a Fine Pore Sparger. ChemEngineering 2018, 2, 11. Kanaris, A.G.; Pavlidis, T.I.; Chatzidafni, A.P.; Mouza, A.A. The Effects of the Properties of Gases on the Design of Bubble Columns Equipped with a Fine Pore Sparger. ChemEngineering 2018, 2, 11.

Abstract

In our previous works we have proposed design equations that can predict with reasonable accuracy the transition point from homogeneous to heterogeneous regime as well as the gas holdup and the mean Sauter diameter at the homogeneous regime. The validity of the proposed correlations was checked with data obtained using different geometrical configurations and several Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids as well as the addition of surfactants. However, in all the experiments the gas phase was atmospheric air. This work investigates the effect of gas phase properties by conducting experiments employing various gases (i.e., air, CO2, He) that cover a wide range of physical property values. Experiments revealed that only the use of low-density gas (He) has a measurable effect on bubble column performance. More precisely, when the low-density gas (He) is employed, the transition point shifts to higher gas flow rates and the gas holdup decreases, a fact attributed to the lower momentum force exerted by the gas. In view of the new data, the proposed correlations have been slightly modified to include the effect of gas phase properties and it is found that they can predict the aforementioned quantities with an accuracy of ±15%. It has been also proved that CFD simulations are an accurate means for assessing the flow characteristics inside a bubble column.

Keywords

bubble column; porous sparger; holdup; bubble size; transition point; CFD

Subject

Physical Sciences, Fluids and Plasmas Physics

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