Effective interfacial area and liquid-side mass transfer coefficients in a rotating bed equipped with baffles

Abstract

This study examines the mass transfer characteristics of a rotating bed that is equipped with static baffles. The volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and the effective gas–liquid interfacial area were determined using a deoxygenation system and a chemisorption of CO2 in NaOH solution, respectively; the local liquid-side mass transfer coefficient (kL) was thus calculated. The effects of liquid flow rate, rotational speed, baffles and type of packing on these mass transfer parameters were investigated. Experimental results show that the bed with baffles had a higher interfacial area and lower kL than that without baffles. Adding baffles to the bed did not significantly affect the kLa values. Additionally, the packing with a larger specific interfacial area yielded higher values of kLa mainly because the effective interfacial area was higher.