Direct numerical simulation of bubble-liquid mass transfer coupled with chemical reactions: Influence of bubble shape and interface contamination

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Vol. 381; no. 1; pp. 130 - 138
• Main Authors: Wylock, C., Larcy, A., Colinet, P., Cartage, T., Haut, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.05.2011
• Subjects: absorption; aqueous solutions; Bicarbonates; Bubble; Bubble shape; Bubbles; carbon dioxide; Chemical reactions; colloids; Contamination; Interface contamination; Joining; Mass transfer; Mass transfer rate; Mathematical models; sodium carbonate; Two dimensional; Chemical reactions; Bubble; Mass transfer rate; Interface contamination; Bubble shape
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2011.03.044

[Display omitted] ► Bubble-liquid mass transfer coupled with chemical reactions. ► Study of influences of ellipsoidal shape and partially contaminated interface. ► 2D axisymmetric modeling. ► Effect of the couplings are quantified for various chemical reaction rates. ► Classical 1D approaches useful for rough estimations. This work deals with the study of bubble-liquid mass transfer coupled with chemical reactions. The absorption of carbon dioxide in aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate is used as a reference case. The influences of the interface contamination state and of the ellipsoidal shape of the bubble on the mass transfer rate are studied using a two-dimensional (2D) axisymmetric model. On the one hand, the case of a spherical bubble with a partially contaminated interface is investigated. It is assumed that a fixed stagnant cap lies on a part of the bubble surface in the rear. On the other hand, the case of an ellipsoidal bubble with a clean interface is investigated. In a first stage, correlations to estimate the transfer rate without reaction are presented and compared to the 2D model results. In a second stage, the mass transfer rate is computed with chemical reactions for several reaction rates. The influences of the coupling reactions – contamination state and the coupling reactions – ellipsoidal shape are then presented and discussed. These 2D model results are also compared to mass transfer rate estimations based on classical one-dimensional (1D) models. It is shown that 1D approaches are useful to provide a rough estimation of the mass transfer rate but 2D models have to be used when an accurate estimation of the mass transfer rate is required.