Abstract

LIZARDI-JIMENEZ, M.A.  and  GUTIERREZ-ROJAS, M.. Assessment of the local hydrodynamic zones in a three-phase airlift reactor: looking for the lowest liquid-phase Re. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.1, pp.59-65. ISSN 1665-2738.

Hydrodynamic in main airlift reactor (ALR) zones (riser and downcomer) was evaluated in order to find the lowest Reynolds number (Re) in a three-phase ALR. In our study, three phases were identified: one gaseous (air) and two liquids (oil and aqueous). Two Re of the liquid species, one for each phase, were defined: Re_aq and Re_oil corresponding to the aqueous and oil phase, respectively. Since gas phase was considered by hold up (εg) in our work. In 10 L ALR, riser showed turbulent aqueous phase flow (4000 < Re_aq < 9000) whereas downcomer exhibited non-turbulent flow (1250 < Re_aq < 4000). Re_oil in riser (5000 < Re_oil < 10000) was higher than Re_aq; whereas in downcomer, Re_oil was lower than Re_aq (200 < Re_oil < 2200). The oil phase into the downcomer zone was demonstrated to be the most important hydrodynamic constraint and consequently limited mass transfer should be expected. The complexity of three-phase flow and the limited measurement technologies have generated few studies regarding the local hydrodynamics properties restricting three-phase reactors optimization and commercialization: our study is a contribution to identify such restrictions.

Keywords : airlift; hydrodynamics; riser; downcomer; three-phase; Re.

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