• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.315-320
• /
• 2015

Characteristics of gas-liquid mass transfer and interfacial area were investigated in a bubble column of diameter and height of 0.102 m and 2.5 m, respectively. Effects of gas and liquid velocities on the volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$), interfacial area (a) and liquid side true mass transfer coefficient ($k_L$) were examined. The interfacial area and volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient were determined directly by adopting the simultaneous physical desorption of $O_2$ and chemical absorption of $CO_2$ in the column. The values of $k_La$ and a increased with increasing gas velocity but decreased with increasing liquid velocity in the bubble column which was operated in the churn turbulent flow regime. The value of $k_L$ increased with increasing gas velocity but did not change considerably with increasing liquid velocity. The liquid side mass transfer was found to be related closely to the liquid circulation as well as the effective contacting frequency between the bubbles and liquid phases.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.913-922
• /
• 2012

Grasp of characteristics within liquid-liquid agitated vessel are very important to environment and chemical industry. Mass transfer volumetric coefficient and the Sauter mean diameter of near the droplet were measured by varying the impeller position and liquid height using the alkaline hydrolysis reaction of esters. As a result, following their good correlation was obtained. $$d_{32}=0.270\(\frac{{\sigma}^{0.6}}{{\rho}^{0.2}P^{0.4}_{Vi}}\)k_La=0.49\(\frac{6{\phi}D_A}{d^2_{32}}\)\(\frac{P_Vd^4_{32}}{{\rho}v^3}\)^{0.193}Sc^{1/3}$$.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.345-354
• /
• 2014

In this paper, effects of physical configurations and operating conditions on bubble column performance were analyzed in terms of bubble hydrodynamic and mass transfer parameters. Bubble column with 3 different dimensions and 7 gas diffusers (single / multiple orifice and rigid / flexible orifice) were applied. High speed camera and image analysis program were used for analyzing the bubble hydrodynamic parameters. The local liquid-side mass transfer coefficient ($k_L$) was estimated from the volumetric mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$) and the interfacial area (a), which was deduced from the bubble diameter ($D_B$) and the terminal bubble rising velocity ($U_B$). The result showed that the values of kLa and a increased with the superficial gas velocity (Vg) and the size of bubble column. Influences of gas diffuser physical property (orifice size, thickness and orifice number) can be proven on the generated bubble size and the mass transfer performance in bubble column. Concerning the variation of $k_L$ coefficients with bubble size, 3 zones (Zone A, B and C) can be observed. For Zone A and Zone C, a good agreement between the experimental and the predicted $K_L$ coefficients was obtained (average difference of ${\pm}15%$), whereas the inaccuracy result (of ${\pm}40%$) was found in Zone B. To enhance the high $k_La$ coefficient and absorption efficiency in bubble column, it was unnecessary to generate numerous fine bubbles at high superficial gas velocity since it causes high power consumption with the great decrease of $k_L$ coefficients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.243-251
• /
• 2001

The effects of various operating parameters(agitation speed, impeller type, antiform agents, impeller spacing etc.) on air-liquid mass transfer was characterized by volumetric mass transfer coefficient($k_La$). Also, the dual-impeller agitated systems are compared with single-impeller agitated systems with a special focus on its applications for bioreactors, $k_La$ was take over a range of 200~450 rpm of agitation speed, and 0.5~2.5 vvm of air flow rates, for four single impeller and impeller combinations consisting of four impeller types, namely rushton, pitched blade, scaba, intermig were tested. The rushton impeller showed the best $k_La$ as compared with other single impellers. The dual impeller system are found to be superior as compared to single impeller in all aspects, The best combination of the dual impeller was a intermig of axial flow type as an upper impeller and a rushton of radial flow type as a lower part. Also, the control of the DO level with the variation of agitation speed was more efficient than that with an increase in air flow rate. The addition of antiform dropped the $k_La$ very large up to 1g/L regardless the type. PPG was less effect on $k_La$ than other antiforms. The impeller spacing and presence of solute are found very effective on $k_La$. When the $NaNO_3$is presented as solute, the $k_La$ increased approximately 50% then control.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.233-240
• /
• 2016

The research aims to study the different flexible rubber tube diffusers used in urban wastewater treatment processes and aquaculture systems. The experiment was conducted in small-scale aeration tank with different physical properties of the tubes that were used as aerators. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$), oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) and aeration efficiency (AE) were measured and determined to compare the diffusers. Moreover, the bubble hydrodynamic parameters were analyzed in terms of bubble diameter ($d_B$) and rising velocity ($U_B$) by a high speed camera (2,000 frames/s). Then the interfacial area (a) and liquid-side mass transfer coefficient ($k_L$) can be calculated. The physical properties (tube wall thickness, tensile strength, orifice size, hardness and elongation) have been proven to be the key factor that controls the performance (kLa and OTE). The effects of hardness and elongation on bubble formation, orifice size and a-area were clearly proved. It is not necessary to generate too much fine bubbles to increase the a-area: this relates to high power consumption and the decrease of the kL. Finally, the wall thickness, elongation and hardness associated of the flexible tube diffuser (tube No. 12) were concluded, to be the suitable properties for practically producing, in this research.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.10
• /
• pp.1445-1453
• /
• 2013

The scale-up criterion of constant oxygen mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$) was applied for the production of itaconic acid (IA) in a 50 L pilot-scale fermentor by the fungal cells of Aspergillus terreus. Various operating conditions were examined to collect as many $k_La$ data as possible by adjusting the stirring speed and aeration rate in both 5 L and 50 L fermentor systems. In the fermentations performed with the 5 L fermentor, the highest IA production was obtained under the operating conditions of 200 rpm and 1.5 vvm. Accordingly, we intended to find out parallel agitation and aeration rates in the 50 L fermentor system, under which the $k_La$ value measured was almost identical to that ($0.02sec^{-1}$) of the 5 L system. The conditions of 180 rpm and 0.5 vvm in the 50 L system turned out to be optimal for providing almost the same volumetric amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) into the fermentor, without causing shear damage to the producing cells due to excessive agitation. Practically identical fermentation physiologies were observed in both fermentations performed under those respective operating conditions, as demonstrated by nearly the same values of volumetric ($Q_p$) and specific ($q_p$) IA production rates, IA production yield ($Y_{p/s}$), and specific growth rate (${\mu}$). Specifically, the negligible difference of the specific growth rate (${\mu}$) between the two cultures (i.e., $0.029h^{-1}$ vs. $0.031h^{-1}$) was notable, considering the fact that ${\mu}$ normally has a significant influence on $q_p$ in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as itaconic acid.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.245-250
• /
• 2006

The effects of aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane and n-dodecane) on the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient $(k_L\;a)$ were studied in flat alveolar airlift reactor and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). In the flat alveolar airlift reactor, high aeration rates (>2vvm) were required in order to obtain efficient organic-aqueous phase dispersion and reliable $k_La$ measurements. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane increased the $k_La$ 1.55- and 1.33-fold, respectively, compared to the control (superficial velocity: $25.8{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, sparger orifice diameter: 0.5 mm). Analysis of the gas-liquid interfacial area a and the liquid film mass transfer coefficient $k_L$ suggests that the observed $k_La$ increase was a function of the media's liquid film mass transfer. Addition of 1% (v/v) n-hexadecane or n-dodecane to analogous setups using CSTRs led to a $k_La$ increase by a factor of 1.68 and 1.36, respectively (superficial velocity: $2.1{\times}10^{-3}m/s$, stirring rate: 250 rpm). These results propose that low-concentration addition of oxygen-vectors to aerobic microbial cultures has additional benefit relative to incubation in purely aqueous media.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.459-464
• /
• 2009

Gas-liquid mass transfer characteristics were investigated in pressurized three-phase slurry bubble columns with variation of column diameter. Effects of gas velocity, operating pressure, liquid viscosity, solid content in the slurry phase and column diameter on the gas-liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficient($k_La$) were determined. The effects of operating variables on the mass transfer coefficient tended to change with variation of column diameter. The mass transfer coefficient increased with increasing gas velocity or operating pressure but decreased with increasing column diameter, liquid viscosity or solid concentration in the slurry phase. The increase trend of $k_La$ value with increasing gas velocity and the decrease trend of $k_La$ value with increasing liquid viscosity, tended to decrease gradually with increasing column diameter. However, the effects of operating pressure and solid concentration in the slurry phase on the $k_La$ value did not change considerably with variation of column diameter. The values of $k_La$ were well correlated with operating variables with in this experimental conditions as $k_La=0.02D^{-0.26}U_G^{0.28}P^{0.43}{\mu}_L^{-0.04}S_c^{-0.35}$.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.133-141
• /
• 2006

Carbon dioxide was absorbed into the aqueous nanometer sized colloidal silica solution of 0-31 wt% and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol of $0-2kmol/m^3$ in a flat-stirred vessel with the impeller of various sizes and speeds at $25^{\circ}C$ and 0.101 MPa to measure the absorption rate of $CO_2$. The volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficient$(k_La)\;of\;CO_2$ was used to obtain the empirical correlation formula containing the rheological behavior of the aqueous colloidal silica solution. Reduction of the measured $k_La$ was explained by the viscoelastic properties of the aqueous colloidal silica solution. The theoretical value of the absorption rate of $CO_2$ was estimated from the model based on the film theory accompanied by chemical reaction and compared with the measured value.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.109-117
• /
• 2009

Absorption rate of carbon dioxide was measured in the aqueous xanthan gum (XG) solution in the range of 0~0.15 wt% containing diisopropanolamine (DIPA) of $0{\sim}2\;kmol/m^3$ in a flat-stirred vessel with an impeller of 0.05 m and agitation speed of 50 rpm at $25^{\circ}C$ and 101.3 kPa. The volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficient ($k_La$) of $CO_2$, which was obtained by the measured physical absorption rate, was correlated with the viscosity and the elastic behavior of XG solution such as Deborah number as an empirical formula. The chemical absorption rate of $CO_2$ ($R_A$), which was estimated by the film theory using the measured $k_La$ and the known kinetics of reaction between $CO_2$ and DIPA, was compared with the measured rate. The aqueous XG solution with elastic property of non-Newtonian liquid made $k_La$ and $R_A$ increased compared with Newtonian liquid based on the same viscosity of the solution.