Analysis of dispersion coefficient of bubble motion and velocity characteristic factor in down and upflow bubble column reactor

Dispersion coefficient of bubble motion based on velocity distribution theory has been analyzed in up and downward gas-liquid two-phase contactor. The intensity of dispersion of phase depends on motion of the dispersed phase and the characteristics of velocity distribution. In this paper the effects of operating and geometric variables on the dispersion coefficient of bubble motion and the characteristic factor of velocity distribution have been analyzed within the range of column diameter 0.10-2.5 m, superficial liquid velocity, 0.04-0.21 m/s and superficial gas velocity 0.41-3.16 mm/s. From the different developed model of longitudinal dispersion coefficient of liquid, comparison of dispersion coefficient of bubble motion and characteristic feature of velocity distribution in down and upflow two-phase contactor has been reported. Also the functionalities of dispersion coefficient of bubble motion and velocity characteristic factor have been developed with operating variables. The condition for dispersion based on velocity pattern has also been discussed in the present work. The present analysis on the dispersion coefficient of bubble motion and velocity distribution factor associated with the knowledge of the liquid phase dispersion in two-phase contactor can give insight into a further understanding and modeling of multiphase reactor in industrial applications. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.