Study on the Solid–Liquid Mass-Transfer Performance of Suspension in a Rotating Packed Bed

Abstract

This work presents the study on solid–liquid mass-transfer performance of suspension in a rotating packed bed (RPB). The calculation model of solid–liquid mass-transfer coefficient (kS) is deduced on the basis of the mass conversation law. The kS in RPB is measured using the suspension of cation-exchange resin particle reaction with NaOH solution. The effects of different operating conditions such as the dispersion time (t) in a stirred tank reactor (STR), the rotating speed (N), the mesh packing thickness (w), the liquid volume flow rate (LT), and the solid loading (e) on the RPB are investigated. The results show that kS increases with the increase of N and w; it increases first and then tends to remain constant with the increase of t and LT. However, e has little influence on kS. A nondimensional equation for Sh is established, and the predicted and experimental values of Sh are in good agreement with a deviation within ±15%. Furthermore, the maximum value of Sh of 124 is obtained under the conditions, t = 0.5 h in STR, N = 2200 rpm, LT = 56 L/h, e = 15 g/L, and w = 24 mm, which is higher than those in the microreactor (MR) and STR. Here, RPB exhibits great application potential in the solid–liquid mass-transfer or reaction process.