Effect of Surface Active Substances on the Operation of a Rectangular Bubble Column

In this study, a rectangular bubble column is designed, constructed and operated with solutions of different surface tension. Bubble columns are widely used in different chemical processes. Gas hold-up and bubble size are two important hydrodynamic parameters in the design and operation of these columns. These two parameters specify specific area of mass transfer via a = 6ε g / d equation. In this work, the effects of surface active substances on the bubble size and gas hold-up are studied through some experiments in a rectangular bubble column. Results will aid the right selection of substances and their quantity to achieve a proper interfacial tension for a process. Moreover equations proposed by other authors are investigated and corrected to predict operation of these types of columns.

Keywords:

Bubble column , Interfacial tension , Gas superficial velocity , Gas hold-up , Bubble size