Classification and identification of gas–liquid dispersion states in a jet bubbling reactor

Abstract

Abstract Three gas–liquid dispersion states including flooding, loading, and complete dispersion are observed sequentially in a jet bubbling reactor with an increase of the liquid jet velocity at the nozzle outlet ( u j ). The gas–liquid dispersion states are identified through the slope ( k ) of the curve of fluctuation distribution index ( FI ) versus u j as follows: (a) under the flooding, k = 0; (b) under the loading, k > 0; (c) under the complete dispersion, k < 0. In particular, the u j at the transition points from flooding to loading and from loading to complete dispersion are referred to flooding jet velocity ( u jf , the transition point between k = 0 and k > 0) and complete dispersion jet velocity ( u jcd , the transition point from k > 0 to k < 0), respectively. The average relative deviations of the u j at the transition points obtained through the acoustic emission measurement and visual observation are less than 5%.