Scribd
Upload
337 views34 pages

Bubble Column Reactor Fundamentals

1) Bubble column reactors allow gas and liquid to contact by dispersing gas into the liquid in the form of bubbles. They are used to transfer substances between phases or mix the liquid phase. 2) CFD modeling and experiments are both used to understand bubble column dynamics but experiments are typically done at smaller scales than actual reactors. Validated CFD models can then extrapolate experimental data to full-scale conditions. 3) Key factors studied include bubble size distribution, gas holdup, interphase forces, and liquid mixing patterns which can be turbulent with descending and ascending flow regions. Both 2D and 3D simulations are used but 3D can better represent unsteady flows.

Uploaded by

ihsan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
337 views34 pages

Bubble Column Reactor Fundamentals

1) Bubble column reactors allow gas and liquid to contact by dispersing gas into the liquid in the form of bubbles. They are used to transfer substances between phases or mix the liquid phase. 2) CFD modeling and experiments are both used to understand bubble column dynamics but experiments are typically done at smaller scales than actual reactors. Validated CFD models can then extrapolate experimental data to full-scale conditions. 3) Key factors studied include bubble size distribution, gas holdup, interphase forces, and liquid mixing patterns which can be turbulent with descending and ascending flow regions. Both 2D and 3D simulations are used but 3D can better represent unsteady flows.

Uploaded by

ihsan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Bubble Column Reactors: Introduces the concept and applications of bubble column reactors used for gas-liquid contact and mixing.
  • Topics Covered: Lists the key topics addressed in the presentation including fundamentals, types, spargers, and modeling.
  • Bubble Column Fundamentals: Discusses the basic functioning of bubble columns, including their purpose and substance transfer.
  • Bubble Columns: Details gas sparging in bubble columns and its effects on liquid flow.
  • Co-current and Counter-current Flow: Illustrates the differences between co-current and counter-current flows in bubble columns.
  • Types of Bubble Columns: Visual depiction and description of various types of bubble columns including packed and multishaft types.
  • Gas-Liquid Mixing: Explores different gas-liquid mixing configurations such as jet loop reactors.
  • Pilot Scale Bubble Column: Describes implementations of bubble columns at a pilot scale with visual example.
  • Gas Distributions: Explains how gas distribution affects bubble formation and mass transfer in bubble columns.
  • Static Gas Spargers: Illustrates static gas sparger types and their design for bubble formation.
  • Dynamic Gas Spargers: Depicts types of dynamic spargers including variations with movement transfers.
  • Flow Regimes: Analyzes different flow regimes present in bubble columns based on gas velocity and reactor diameter.
  • Fluid Dynamics: Examines the entrainment and movement of liquids caused by rising gas bubbles within columns.
  • Fluid Dynamics - Velocity Distribution: Provides a graphical analysis of radial velocity distribution in a bubble column.
  • Cell Structure in BCs: Diagram showing typical cellular structures observed within bubble columns.
  • Bubble Size: Equation and explanation for calculating average bubble size based on colloidal theory.
  • Bubble Size Distribution (BSD): Discusses the impact of bubble size distribution on reactor performance and flow regimes.
  • Gas Holdup: Describes the significance of gas holdup as a parameter in reactor design and function.
  • Gas Holdup Equation: Presents the mathematical description of gas holdup and its implications under different flow conditions.
  • Interphase Forces: Outlines the various forces impacting interphase interactions in bubble columns.
  • Bubble Column Modeling: Overview of modeling the interactions and processes occurring in bubble columns.
  • CFD Modeling of Bubble Columns: Compares CFD modeling techniques used for simulating gas-liquid flows in bubble columns.
  • Simulation Objective: Describes objectives of simulations focusing on flow dynamics and structure resolution.
  • 2D Simulation Applications: Explains when and why 2D simulations are applied to study bubble columns.
  • 3D Simulation Applications: Highlights the scenarios where 3D simulations provide better insight into bubble column behavior.
  • Simulation Considerations: Factors to consider for setting up simulations of bubble columns to reflect physical reality.
  • 2D Bubble Column: Illustrates the 2D representation of bubble column with gas-liquid interactions.
  • Instantaneous Flow Field: Examines 2D and 3D flow field dynamics within the bubble columns with imagery.
  • Tracer Dispersion: Visual outcomes of tracer experiments showing dispersion patterns in liquid mediums.
  • Verification and Validation: Importance of model validation through experiments to ensure simulation accuracy.

Bubble Column Reactors

Quak Foo Lee


Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
The University of British Columbia
Topics Covered
Bubble column fundamentals
Type of bubble columns

Gas Spargers

Bubble flow dynamics

CFD Modeling

Experiments vs. Simulations


Introduction
Bubble columns are devices in which gas, in the
form of bubbles, comes in contact with liquid.

The purpose may be simply to mix the liquid phase.

Substances are transferred from one phase to the


other
Bubble Columns
Gas is sparged at the bottom of the liquid pool
contained by the column.

The net liquid flow may be co-current or counter-


current to the gas flow direction or may be zero.

Spargers, like porous plates, generate uniform size


bubbles and distribute the gas uniformly at the
bottom of the liquid pool.
Bubble Column

Co- Counter-
current current
Type of Bubble Columns

A) Simple bubble column; B) Cascade bubble column with sieve trays;


B) C) Packed bubble column; D) Multishaft bubble column;
C) E) Bubble column with static mixers
Gas-Liquid Mixing

A) Bubble column; B) Downflow bubble column; C) Jet loop reactor


Pilot Scale bubble Column
Gas Distributions
The gas is dispersed to create small bubbles and
distribute them uniformly over the cross section of
the equipment to maximize the intensity of mass
transfer.

The formation of fine bubbles is especially desirable


in coalescence-hindered systems and in the
homogeneous flow regime.

In principle, however, significant mass transfer can


be obtained at the gas distributor through a high
local energy-dissipation density.
Static Gas Spargers
Dip tube Perforated plate

Perforated ring Porous plate


Dynamic Gas Spargers
Flow Regimes
Fluid Dynamics
Rising
gas bubbles entrain liquid in their
wakes.

Asa rule, this upward flow of liquid is much


greater than the net liquid flow rate.

Because of continuity, regions therefore exist


in which the liquid is predominantly moving
downward.
Fluid Dynamics

Radial distribution of liquid velocity in a bubble column


Cell Structure in BCs
Bubble Size
Sauter diameter dbS
(mean bubble diameter, calculated from the volume to surface ratio)

0.6 0.25
2 G
d bs 0.4
0.5
G

eM L L

This formula is based on Kolmogorov's theory of isotropic turbulence.


Bubble Size Distribution (BSD)
Narrow BSD
For bubble columns with relatively low gas volume
fraction.
In homogeneous regime.
Wide BSD
As gas velocity and therefore, gas volume fraction
increases, a heterogeneous or churn-turbulent
regime sets in.
Gas Holdup
Gas holdup is one of the most important
operating parameters because it not only
governs phase fraction and gas-phase residence
time but is also crucial for mass transfer
between liquid and gas.

Gas holdup depends chiefly on gas flow rate, but


also to a great extent on the gas liquid system
involved.
Gas Holdup
Gas holdup is defined as the volume of the gas phase
divided by the total volume of the dispersion:
VG
G
VG VL
The relationship between gas holdup and gas velocity is
generally described by the proportionality:

G ~ U Gn
In the homogeneous flow regime, n is close to unity. When
large bubbles are present, the exponent decreases, i.e., the
gas holdup increases less than proportionally to the gas
flow rate.
Interphase Forces
Drag force
Resultant slip velocity between two phases.

Virtual mass force


Arising from the inertia effect.

Basset force
Due to the development of a boundary layer around a
bubble.

Transversal lift force


Created by gradients in relative velocity across the bubble
diameter, may also act on the bubble.
Bubble Column Modeling
Mass transport Fluid
mixing properties

Fluid Dynamics Reaction

Enhancement
Phase distribution
transfer resistance
Mass transfer Limitation
Gas hold-up Heat transfer
Interfacial area
Bubble driving force
recirculation mixing

Fluid properties
Turbulence shear Bubble breakage
stress terminal
velocity
And coalescence
residence time
CFD Modeling of Bubble Columns
Eulerian-Lagrangian approach
To simulate trajectories of individual bubbles
(bubble-scale phenomena)

Eulerian-Eulerian approach
To simulate the behavior of gas-liquid dispersions
with high gas volume fractions (e.g. to simulate
millions of bubbles over a long period of time)
Simulation Objective
Unsteady, asymmetric
To avoid imposing symmetry boundary conditions
Two-dimensional
Consider the whole domain
Three-dimensional
Use a body-fitted grid, or
Use modified conventional axis boundary
conditions to allow flow through the axis
When to use 2D Simulation?
Estimate liquid phase mixing and heat transfer
coefficient.

Predict time-averaged liquid velocity profiles and


corresponding time-averaged gas volume fraction
profiles.

Evaluate, qualitatively, the influence of different


reactor internals, such as drat tubes and radial
baffles, on liquid phase mixing in the reactor.
When to use 3D Simulation?
Capture details of flow structures.

Examine the role of unsteady structure on mixing.

Evaluate the size and location of draft tube on the


fluid dynamics of bubble column reactors.
Simulation Consideration
For column walls, which are impermeable to fluids,
standard wall boundary conditions may be specified.

Use symmetry when long-time-averaged flow


characteristics is interested.

When the interest is in capturing inherently unsteady


flow characteristics, which are not symmetrical, it is
essential to consider the whole column as the solution
domain.

Overall flow can be modeled using an axis-symmetric


assumption.
2D Bubble Column
Open to surroundings
Overhead pressure
Liquid drops may
Ptop Get entrained in
Gas-liquid
overhead space
Interface
(may not be flat)

Gas-liquid
L L G G gdz
H
Dispersion ph
0
(gas as dispersed
Hydrostatic head
phase)
above the sparger

P0
Sparger
Plenum Ps

Only gas phase


P0 = Ptop + Ph Gas
2D and 3D Instantaneous' Flow
Field

Descending First bubble Descending


flow region flow region flow region

Vortical
structures

2D 3D

Source: http://kramerslab.tn.tudelft.nl/research/topics/multiphaseflow.htm
Dispersion of Tracer in a Liquid
Verification and Validation
Scale-down for experimental program.

Experiments are carried out in simple geometries and different conditions than
actual operating conditions.

Available information on the influence of pressure and temperature should be


used to select right model fluids for these experiments.

Detailed CFD models should be developed to simulate the fluid dynamics of a


small-scale experimental set-up under representative conditions.

The computational model is then enhanced further until it leads to adequately


accurate simulations of the observed fluid dynamics.

The validated CFD model can then be used to extrapolate the experimental
data and to simulate fluid dynamics under actual operating conditions.
2-D CFD Simulation
Experiments

Meandering motions

Lateral movement of the bubble hose in the flat bubble column (gas flow rate 0.8 l/min)
Becker, et al., Chem. Eng. Sci. 54(12):4929-4935 (1999)
Simulation and Experiment

t = 0.06s t = 0.16s t = 0.26 s t = 0.36 s

Simulation and experimental results of a bubble rising in liquid-solid fluidized bed.


Fan et al. (1999)
References:
Becker, S., De Bie, H. and Sweeney, J., Dynamics flow behavior in bubble
columns, Chem. Eng. Sci., 54(12):4929-4935 (1999)
Fan, L.S., Yang, G.Q., Lee, D.J., Tsuchiya, K., and Lou, X., Some aspects
of high-pressure phenomena of bubbles in liquids and liquid-solid
suspensions, Chem. Eng. Sci., 54(12):4681-4709 (1999)

You might also like