How to disperse gases in liquids

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Chemical Engineering (New York); (United States)

OSTI ID:6756074

Bakker, A; Smith, J ^[1]; Myers, K J ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Surrey, Guildford (United Kingdom)
2. Univ. of Dayton, OH (United States)

Mixing of a gas in a liquid is required in fermentation operations and a variety of oxygenation and hydrogenation processes. Agitation increases the mass transfer between the gas and the liquid phase. Gas-liquid reactors equipped with agitators are often operated at high power input and large gas holdup, making these units among the most difficult to design. Modern high-efficiency and concave-blade disc impellers provide the proper balance of flow, turbulence and shear for most applications. For an overview of the state of the art in gas-liquid agitation, a number of excellent reports are available. This article aims to present practical design guidelines while explaining the basics of gas-liquid mixing. It expands on design procedures presented in 1976 by Hicks and Gates and capitalizes on recent advances in flow-visualization techniques, development of new gas-dispersion impellers and improved understanding of the dispersion process itself. Methods to calculate power draw, gas holdup and mass-transfer rate are illustrated with examples. It is shown that concave-blade turbines provide better performance than the traditional flat-blade units.

• OSTI ID: 6756074
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Chemical Engineering (New York); (United States) Vol. 101:12; ISSN CHEEA3; ISSN 0009-2460
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
DESIGN
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
GASES
LIQUIDS
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
MIXERS
MIXING
SHAPE
TURBINE BLADES
TURBULENT FLOW