Mass Transfer Modelling in the Couette-Taylor Flow Reactor for the Oxidation Process of Organic Contaminants

Abstract

The Couette-Taylor Flow reactor (CTF reactor) is characterised by high values of the mass transfer parameters. Our previous mass transfer investigations revealed high values of the volumetric mass transfer coefficients (of the order of 10-1 s-1) and the specific interfacial area, higher than those obtained in the stirred tanks. The experimental results of benzaldehyde oxidation considered potential application of the CTF reactor in oxidising organic liquids and contaminants. Owing to its tubular construction the CTF reactor is suitable to operate in a continuous process at elevated pressures. In one of the advanced oxidation methods, i.e. the Wet Air Oxidation, some fundamental problems emerge, e.g. how to intensify diffusional mass transfer. In the case of technical apparatus, even when solid catalysts are applied, diffusional factors control the overall process rate. Under such circumstances the CTF reactor is applicable. The mass transfer correlation was proposed as the first step in wet air oxidation modelling.