Author
Abstract
The sectionalization of conventional bubble columns to tray bubble column by
perforated trays has been used in chemical, biochemical, and petroleum processes
as an effective way to improve the gas-liquid contacting efficiency, and reduce
liquid backmixing. In this study, an experimental semi-batch tray bubble column
setup has been built. Column 0.15 m inside diameter and total height of 2.20 m is
sectionalized into four stages using three perforated plates to investigate the
effect of tray geometry, superficial gas velocities and liquid phase physical
properties on overall gas holdup. The overall gas holdup is measured
experimentally by bed expansion technique. For studying the effect of physical
properties of the liquid phase, two different gas and liquid systems are used (airwater
and air-methanol solution).Methanol solution was used as the liquid phase
to simulate the hydrodynamic behavior of the high gas holdup systems.
Remarkable increases of up to 80% in the overall gas holdup have been observed
in tray column as compared to conventional bubble column when this liquid
system was used. Experimental results of tray bubble column shows significant
increase the overall gas holdup in comparison with conventional bubble column.
Correlations have been used for the estimation of the fractional gas holdup in
bubble column with and without tray. Comparison of the model predictions with
the experimental data and with the published data of other authors shows fine
agreement which ensure the reliability and confidentiality of the adopted the
correlations to be used in further designation.
Keywords
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