Experimental studies on a co-current gas-liquid downflow bubble column

Abstract

Two-phase co-current vertical downflow systems offer some distinct advantages, like uniform and finer bubbles, greater residence time, negligible coalescence of the bubles etc. In the present work the hydrodynamics of a vertical downflow bubble column fitted with an ejector have been evaluated. Experimental studies have been carried out to evaluate the total pressure gradient and gas holdup. Similarity analysis was used for analysing the data in order to overcome the complex flow behaviour in the system. Correlations have been developed to predict pressure drop and holdup of gas as a function of different physical and dynamic variables.