Interfacial area in gas–liquid Couette–Taylor flow reactor

Abstract

In this study the specific interfacial area (gas–liquid) generated within a stirred tank and Couette–Taylor–Poiseuille flow (CTPF) reactor was determined for a range rotational speeds, and gas and liquid volumetric flow rates. The specific interfacial area was obtained experimentally using the oxidation sodium dithionite in alkaline solution. The specific interfacial area for a CTPF was found to be in range 700–1200 m 2 m −3 over the range of operating rotational speed (0–3000 rpm), liquid flow rate (1 dm 3 min −1) and gas/liquid volumetric flow rates (0.5–2.0). Typically, the specific interfacial area obtained for the CTPF reactor was an order of magnitude higher than those obtained (in this study) for a stirred tank reactor. It was also found that the liquid phase mass transfer coefficient, calculated from the measured a L and using previously obtained k L a values, was of the order 10 −4 m s −1, which was consistent for 2.5 mm diameter bubbles as calculated in this study.