Fluid dynamics and mass transfer in a bubble column with suspended particles

Abstract

Abstract Slurry bubble columns are widely used in biotechnology. Therefore, the effects of solid particles on fluidization characteristics, gas hold‐up and volumetric liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient were measured in a slurry bubble column (i.d. 0.14 m). The density and diameter of the suspended particles were similar to those applied in biotechnology with immobilized bacteria. Based on models of turbulence and of liquid circulation induced by rising gas bubbles, equations for critical gas velocity, gas hold‐up and volumetric liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient were obtained by dimensional analysis.