Oxygen Transfer in a Countercurrent, Pulsed Bubble Column

Abstract

A 5. 0 em. diameter column was used for gas absorption. The column contained internal baffling and was operated in a countercurrent mode. Oxygen comprised the gaseous phase and tap water the liquid phase. The column was operated both with and without pulsations. The injection and exhaustion of compressed air to the system provided the pulsation mechanism. The mixing as well as the mass transfer characteristics were examined. A Set of experiments independent of the mass transfer work was carried out in order to study mixing in the column. A refluxing mechanism is uncovered in the mixing experiments. Values for the axial dispersion coefficient, volumetric mass transfer coefficient and reflux ratio are reported over the range of the operating parameters.