Hydrodynamics of a carbon dioxide/water/silicone oil bubble column

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Vol. 171; no. 3; pp. 1108 - 1113
• Main Authors: García-Abuín, A., Gómez-Díaz, D., Navaza, J.M., Vidal-Tato, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 15.07.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absorption; Applied sciences; Bubble columns; Bubble diameter; Carbon dioxide; Chemical engineering; Emulsion; emulsions; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Hydrodynamics; Hydrodynamics of contact apparatus; Interfacial area; Liquid phases; Natural gas; oils; physical properties; Silicon oil; silicone; Surfactant; surfactants; Silicon oil; Absorption; Emulsion; Surfactant; Bubble diameter; Interfacial area; Gas holdup; Carbon dioxide; Silicone oil; Hydrodynamics; Liquid phase; Physical properties; Bubble; Bubble column
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2011.05.007

► Low concentration of organic phases increase interfacial area between gas and liquid phases. ► The viscosity of organic phase plays an important role producing a decrease in interfacial area. ► The surfactant presence in the emulsion produces a decrease in bubble diameter and then, an increase in gas-liquid interfacial area. The present work analyses the hydrodynamic behaviour of a gas phase in a bubble column using different emulsions as liquid phase. The hydrodynamic behaviour was analysed on the basis of gas hold-up, bubble diameter and gas–liquid interfacial area; the different variables employed in this study [gas flow-rate (between 18 and 40 L h −1), as well as the organic phase nature, the organic phase concentration (between 0 and 1% (vol)) and the surfactant presence (between 0 and 0.1% (vol))] have been taken into account. The results obtained have been explained on the basis of the liquid phase physical properties and the special characteristics of the gas–liquid–liquid systems.