Experimental correlation of gas–liquid–solid mass transfer coefficient in a stirred tank using response surface methodology

Abstract

In this paper, the three-phase (gas–liquid–solid) system in a stirred tank is experimentally studied. The response surface methodology (RSM) is used to analyze the three phase mass transfer coefficient under different conditions, i.e., rotation speeds (8, 10, and 12 s−1), volumetric solid content fractions (0, 6 and 12%), gas flow rates (6, 8, and 10 m3 h−1) and temperatures (40, 54, and 68 °C). With the RSM, it was found that all of these four operational parameters are significant in affecting the mass transfer coefficient, with the rotation speed being the most significant one. A new correlation is developed with a quadratic term for solid content fraction, indicating that there is a minimum value of mass transfer coefficient at a certain solid content fraction. Compared with traditional experimental design and correlation methods, the RSM in this study reduces experiment time and provides a better correlation to predict the mass transfer coefficient.