Session: 5.2.2 - Novel Measurement Techniques in Fluid Engineering II

Paper Number: 158685

158685 - Towards Understanding the Dynamics of Liquid Mixing in the Airlift External Loop Bubble Column Reactor 

Abstract: 

Bubble column reactors (BCRs) are versatile systems widely utilized in applications requiring efficient heat and mass transfer between liquid and gas phases. These applications include chemical processing, algae cultivation, and CO₂ capture. Among the various designs, external loop airlift systems are found effective in enhancing mixing within the reactor while offering energy-efficient flow circulation. Understanding the detailed flow dynamics within the reactor is essential for optimizing mixing and, consequently, mass and heat transfer processes. In this study, the fluid dynamics and liquid mixing behavior within the reactor body were investigated experimentally. Key parameters such as local velocity, turbulence intensity, vorticity, and streamline patterns were analyzed using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Experiments were conducted across a range of total water flow rates (8-22 LPM), with a water static head of 43 inches and a reactor diameter of 6 inches. These conditions enabled high-resolution flow visualization, offering detailed insights into the fluid motion and mixing dynamics within the reactor. Image post-processing techniques enabled the extraction of critical fluid dynamics parameters, including velocity profiles, turbulence distributions, and the spatial structure of vortices. The analysis demonstrates how these fluid dynamics characteristics influence mixing efficiency and heat and mass transfer performance in the reactor. The results contribute to a preliminary understanding of the intricate liquid mixing in BCRs and their role in optimizing the performance of the reactors driven by external loop airlift systems. This understanding will provide valuable insights for the design and operational improvements of such systems in industrial applications.

Presenting Author: Cora Dickie-Wilson University of Guelph

Presenting Author Biography: