Column Reactor (column + reactor)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Column Reactor

  • bubble column reactor
  • slurry bubble column reactor


  • Selected Abstracts


    A Study on Hydrodynamics and Heat Transfer in a Bubble Column Reactor with Yeast and Bacterial Cell Suspensions

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2005
    Nigar Kantarci
    Abstract Hydrodynamics and heat transfer experiments were carried out in a slurry bubble column with air-water-yeast cells and air-water-bacteria cells systems to investigate gas hold-up, bubble characteristics and heat transfer coefficients with cell concentrations of 0.1% w/w and 0.4% w/w and superficial gas velocity up to 0.20 m/s. The gas hold-ups and heat transfer coefficients were found to increase with increasing gas velocity and cell concentration. The heat transfer coefficients were higher at the centre of the column as compared to the near wall region. The development of empirical correlations to predict the heat transfer coefficient in two- and three-phase systems was carried out with ±15% confidence interval at most. On a réalisé des expériences d'hydrodynamique et de transfert de chaleur dans une colonne triphasique gaz-liquide-solide avec des systèmes de cellules air-eau-levure et de cellules air-eau-bactéries afin d'étudier la rétention de gaz, les caractéristiques des bulles et les coefficients de transfert de chaleur avec des concentrations de cellules de 0,1 % en poids et 0,4 % en poids et des vitesses de gaz superficielles jusqu'à 0,20 m/s. On a trouvé que les rétentions de gaz et les coefficients de transfert de chaleur augmentaient avec la vitesse de gaz et la concentration en cellules. Les coefficients de transfert de chaleur sont plus grands au centre de la colonne que dans la région proche de la paroi. Des corrélations empiriques pour prédire le coefficient de transfert de chaleur dans des systèmes bi et triphasiques ont été établies avec un écart de confiance inférieur ou égal à ± 15%. [source]


    CFD Modeling of a Bubble Column Reactor Carrying out a Consecutive A , B , C Reaction

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 4 2004
    J.M. van Baten
    Abstract In this paper, we develop a CFD model for describing a bubble column reactor for carrying out a consecutive first-order reaction sequence A , B , C. Three reactor configurations, all operating in the homogeneous bubbly regime, were investigated: (I) column diameter DT = 0.1 m, column height HT = 1.1 m, (II) DT = 0.1 m, HT = 2 m, and (III) DT = 1 m, HT = 5 m. Eulerian simulations were carried out for superficial gas velocities UG in the range of 0.005,0.04 m/s, assuming cylindrical axisymmetry. Additionally, for configurations I and III fully three-dimensional transient simulations were carried out for checking the assumption of cylindrical axisymmetry. For the 0.1 m diameter column (configuration I), 2-D axisymmetric and 3-D transient simulations yield nearly the same results for gas holdup ,G, centerline liquid velocity VL(0), conversion of A, ,A, and selectivity to B, SB. In sharp contrast, for the 1 m diameter column (configuration III), there are significant differences in the CFD predictions of ,G, VL(0), ,A, and SB using 2-D and 3-D simulations; the 2-D strategies tend to exaggerate VL(0), and underpredict ,G, ,A, and SB. The transient 3-D simulation results appear to be more realistic. The CFD simulation results for ,A and SB are also compared with a simple analytic model, often employed in practice, in which the gas phase is assumed to be in plug flow and the liquid phase is well mixed. For the smaller diameter columns (configurations I and II) the CFD simulation results for ,A are in excellent agreement with the analytic model, but for the larger diameter column the analytic model is somewhat optimistic. There are two reasons for this deviation. Firstly, the gas phase is not in perfect plug flow and secondly, the liquid phase is not perfectly mixed. The computational results obtained in this paper demonstrate the power of CFD for predicting the performance of bubble column reactors. Of particular use is the ability of CFD to describe scale effects. [source]


    Triphase Hydrogenation Reactions Utilizing Palladium-Immobilized Capillary Column Reactors and a Demonstration of Suitability for Large Scale Synthesis

    ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 15 2005
    Juta Kobayashi
    Abstract We have developed a practical and highly productive system for hydrogenation reactions utilizing capillary column reactors, which occupy less space than ordinary batch systems, are low cost and easy to handle, and show feasibility toward large-scale chemical synthesis. Palladium-containing micelles were immobilized onto the inner surface of the capillaries. Nine palladium-immobilized capillaries were assembled and connected to a T-shaped connector, and hydrogen and a substrate solution were fed to capillaries via the connector. Hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexene (1) proceeded smoothly to give phenylcyclohexane in quantitative yield. The capillaries themselves occupy only ca. 0.4,mL and a high space-time yield has been achieved (124.3,mg/17,min/0.4,mL). In addition, leaching of palladium was not detected by ICP analysis after reactions. [source]


    Simulations of Bubble Column Reactors Using a Volume of Fluid Approach: Effect of Air Distributor

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2007
    M. Abid Akhtar
    Abstract Two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations have been performed on a laboratory scale bubble column reactor using a volume-of-fluid approach. The effect of hole-size and superficial gas velocity on the bubble size distribution and their trajectories has been investigated on a 20 cm diameter and 1 m high cylindrical reactor. All simulations were performed in a transient manner using a FLUENT solver. Surface tension between two phases has been modelled as a body force with a constant value. Turbulence was modelled using the k-, turbulence approach. A comparison between simulation predictions and the reported experimental studies has shown a good agreement. On a effectué des simulations numériques bi et tridimensionnelles dans un réacteur à colonne à bulles à l'échelle de laboratoire à l'aide d'une approche volume-de-fluide. L'effet de la taille du trou et de la vitesse de gaz superficielle sur la distribution de tailles des bulles et leurs trajectoires a été étudié dans un réacteur cylindrique de 20 cm de diamètre et de 1 m de hauteur. Toutes les simulations ont été réalisées selon un mode transitoire à l'aide du logiciel FLUENT. La tension de surface entre deux phases a été modélisée comme une force volumique avec une valeur constante. La turbulence a été modélisée par la méthode de turbulence k-,. Une comparaison entre les prédictions des simulations et les études expérimentales mentionnées montre un bon accord. [source]


    Thermal decomposition of tert -butyl peroxide in a gas chromatographic reactor: A comparison of kinetic approaches

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 7 2004
    Peter J. Skrdla
    The thermal decomposition of tert -butyl peroxide is investigated utilizing both the column and the injection port of a commercial gas chromatograph (GC) as chemical reactors. Using the injector liner as the reactor, the chromatographic peak areas of the reactant, measured at various injector temperatures, are used in the determination of the activation energy of the decomposition (Ea). With the column serving as the reactor, both the reactant peak areas and the product peak shapes are similarly utilized for this purpose. Values of Ea obtained using different mathematical treatments for each of the three approaches are found to range from 115 to 164 kJ/mol. Of these methods, the column reactor approach utilizing peak area measurements (referred to as PACR, for "peak area, column reactor") is found to be far superior in terms of its speed, robustness, and its accuracy in determining Ea. The PACR method's effectiveness can be largely attributed to the mathematical treatment that is described in the approach. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 386,393, 2004 [source]


    Beta-glucan production by Botryosphaeria rhodina in different bench-top bioreactors

    JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004
    L. Selbmann
    Abstract Aims:, Evaluation of the technical feasibility of transferring , -glucan production by Botryosphaeria rhodina DABAC-P82 from shaken flasks to bench-top bioreactors. Methods and Results:, Three different bioreactors were used: 3 l stirred tank reactor (STR-1) equipped with two different six-blade turbines; STR as above but equipped with a three-blade marine propeller plus draft-tube (STR-2); 2 l air-lift column reactor (ALR) equipped with an external loop. STR-1, tested at three different stirrer speeds (300, 500 and 700 rev min,1) appeared to be less suitable for , -glucan production by the fungus, being maximum production (19·4 g l,1), productivity (0·42 g l,1 h,1) and yield (0·48 g g,1 of glucose consumed) markedly lower than those obtained in shaken culture (29·7 g l,1, 1·23 g l,1 h,1 and 0·61 g g,1, respectively). Better performances were obtained with both STR-2 and ALR. With the latter, in particular, the increase of production was accompanied by reduced fermentation time (25·7 g l,1 after only 22 h); productivity and yield were highest (1·17 g l,1 h,1 and 0·62 g g,1 of glucose consumed, respectively). Conclusion:, Using an air-lift reactor with external loop, the scaling up from shaken flasks to bench-top bioreactor of the , -glucan production by B. rhodina DABAC-P82 is technically feasible. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Although culture conditions are still to be optimized, the results obtained using the ARL are highly promising. [source]


    Enhanced production of lovastatin in a bubble column by Aspergillus terreus using a two-stage feeding strategy

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
    EM Rodríguez Porcel
    Abstract A two-stage feeding strategy is shown to improve the rate of production of lovastatin by Aspergillus terreus when compared with conventional batch fermentation. The feeding strategy consisted of an initial batch/fed-batch phase and a semi-continuous culture dilution phase with retention of pelleted biomass in a slurry bubble column reactor. The batch phase served only to build up the biomass for producing lovastatin, a secondary metabolite that inhibits its own synthesis in the producing microfungus. The semi-continuous dilution phase provided nutrients to sustain the fungus, but prevented biomass growth by limiting the supply of essential nitrogen. (Synthesis of lovastatin does not require nitrogen.) The preferred pelleted growth morphology that favors lovastatin synthesis was readily obtained and maintained in the 20 L bubble column used. In contrast, a stirred tank fermentation had a substantially lower production of lovastatin because mechanical agitation damaged the fungal pellets. The two-stage feeding method increased lovastatin production rate by more than 50% in comparison with the conventional batch operation. Rheological data for the fungal broth are presented. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Simulation of a slurry-bubble column reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using single-event microkinetics

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009
    Gisela Lozano-Blanco
    Abstract A single-event microkinetic model for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis including the water-gas shift reaction has been implemented in a one-dimensional, two-bubble class, heterogeneous model with axial effective diffusion to study the performance of a commercial slurry bubble column reactor. Mass balance equations are solved for every species in the reaction network in the large bubbles, small bubbles, and slurry phase, whereas the energy balance is applied to the slurry phase. The catalyst concentration profile is described by a sedimentation-dispersion model. The combination of microkinetics that generate net production rates for the individual reaction products and hydrodynamics allows describing detailed concentration profiles along the reactor axis as a function of operating conditions and design parameters. As example, the effects of catalyst loading, syngas feed flow rate, inlet temperature, or hydrogen to carbon monoxide inlet ratio on the individual hydrocarbons are investigated. To our knowledge, no reactor model in literature is able to describe detailed compositions at the level described by the reactor model developed in this work. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source]


    Energy Efficiency of Two-Phase Mixing in a Modified Bubble Column

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2007
    Subrata Kumar Majumder
    Abstract Energy efficiency for gas liquid mixing in a modified downflow bubble column reactor has been analyzed in this paper. Efficiencies of the different parts of the bubble column have been assessed on the basis of energy dissipation. Prediction of the energy dissipation coefficient as well as energy utilization efficiency due to gas-liquid mixing as a function of different physical, geometric and dynamic variables of the system has been done by correlation method. The distribution of energy utilization in the different zones of the column has also been analyzed. Experiments were carried out with air-water and air-aqueous solutions of carboxy methyl cellulose with different concentrations. Dans cet article on a analysé l'efficacité énergétique pour le mélange gaz-liquide dans un réacteur à colonne à bulles à écoulement descendant modifié. Les efficacités des différentes régions de la colonne à bulles ont été évaluées sur la base de la dissipation d'énergie. On a utilisé une méthode de corrélation pour prédire le coefficient de dissipation d'énergie ainsi que l'efficacité d'utilisation de l'énergie due au mélange gaz-liquide en fonction des différentes variables physiques, géométriques et dynamiques du système. La distribution de l'utilisation de l'énergie dans les différentes régions de la colonne a également été analysée. Des expériences ont été menées avec des solutions air-eau et air-solutions aqueuses de carboxyméthylcellulose à différentes concentrations. [source]


    Simulations of Bubble Column Reactors Using a Volume of Fluid Approach: Effect of Air Distributor

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2007
    M. Abid Akhtar
    Abstract Two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations have been performed on a laboratory scale bubble column reactor using a volume-of-fluid approach. The effect of hole-size and superficial gas velocity on the bubble size distribution and their trajectories has been investigated on a 20 cm diameter and 1 m high cylindrical reactor. All simulations were performed in a transient manner using a FLUENT solver. Surface tension between two phases has been modelled as a body force with a constant value. Turbulence was modelled using the k-, turbulence approach. A comparison between simulation predictions and the reported experimental studies has shown a good agreement. On a effectué des simulations numériques bi et tridimensionnelles dans un réacteur à colonne à bulles à l'échelle de laboratoire à l'aide d'une approche volume-de-fluide. L'effet de la taille du trou et de la vitesse de gaz superficielle sur la distribution de tailles des bulles et leurs trajectoires a été étudié dans un réacteur cylindrique de 20 cm de diamètre et de 1 m de hauteur. Toutes les simulations ont été réalisées selon un mode transitoire à l'aide du logiciel FLUENT. La tension de surface entre deux phases a été modélisée comme une force volumique avec une valeur constante. La turbulence a été modélisée par la méthode de turbulence k-,. Une comparaison entre les prédictions des simulations et les études expérimentales mentionnées montre un bon accord. [source]


    A model for the dynamic behavior of a commercial scale slurry bubble column reactor applied for the Fischer,Tropch synthesis

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010
    Samira Ghasemi
    Abstract Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is an important chemical process for the production of liquid fuels. In the present study, a dynamic model for a commercial size slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) operating under heterogeneous flow regime and dealing with the FTS has been developed. In such a model a detailed kinetics expressions for the FTS and water gas shift (WGS) reactions have been considered. A selectivity model combined with SBCR hydrodynamics and the multicomponent VLE scheme have been applied to estimate the distribution of olefins and paraffins in the products. In addition, the effects of catalyst deactivation on reactor performance and product distribution under transient conditions may be predicted from this model. The data calculated from the model have been correlated with the experimental results available in the literature. It seems that the present model could be applied to estimate the main characteristics of the reactor's dynamic behavior. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Efficiency of non-reactive isothermal bubble column based on mass transfer

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2008
    Subrata Kumar Majumder Assistant Professor
    Abstract Bubble column reactor as a gas,liquid contactor is extensively used in the chemical and biochemical industries. Mass transfer coefficients governing the transport processes in bubble contactors are a growing concern in chemical and biotechnological processes whose rates are often limited by the mass transfer rate. The influences of different physical, dynamic and geometric variables affect the efficiency characterization of the equipment which are involved in gas/liquid mass transfer processes. This characterization has great importance to optimize the process plant design. In this article, efficiency of two-phase mass transfer in bubble column reactors has been analyzed based on dynamic, geometric and physical variables of the system. An empirical correlation for mass transfer efficiency has also been developed in terms of those variables. The present analysis on the gas,liquid mass transfer efficiency of bubble column may give insight into a further understanding and modeling of multiphase reactors in industrial applications. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Microbiological and geochemical dynamics in simulated-heap leaching of a polymetallic sulfide ore

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2008
    Kathryn Wakeman
    Abstract The evolution of microbial populations involved in simulated-heap leaching of a polymetallic black schist sulfide ore (from the recently-commissioned Talvivaara mine, Finland) was monitored in aerated packed bed column reactors over a period of 40 weeks. The influence of ore particle size (2-6.5 mm and 6.5-12 mm) on changes in composition of the bioleaching microflora and mineral leaching dynamics in columns was investigated and compared to fine-grain (<2 µm) ore that was bioprocessed in shake flask cultures. Both column reactors and shake flasks were inoculated with 24 different species and strains of mineral-oxidizing and other acidophilic micro-organisms, and maintained at 37°C. Mineral oxidation was most rapid in shake flask cultures, with about 80% of both manganese and nickel and 68% of zinc being leached within 6 weeks, though relatively little of the copper present in the ore was solubilised. The microbial consortium that emerged from the original inoculum was relatively simple in shake flasks, and was dominated by the iron-oxidizing autotroph Leptospirillum ferriphilum, with smaller numbers of Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus caldus and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. Both metal recovery and (for the most part) total numbers of prokaryotes were greater in the column reactor containing the medium-grain than that containing the coarse-grain ore. The bioleaching communities in the columns displayed temporal changes in composition and differed radically from those in shake flask cultures. While iron-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacteria were always the most numerically dominant bacteria in the medium-grain column bioreactor, there were major shifts in the most abundant species present, with the type strain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans dominating in the early phase of the experiment and other bacteria (At. ferrooxidans NO37 and L. ferriphilum) dominating from week 4 to week 40. With the coarse-grain column bioreactor, similar transitions in populations of iron-oxidizing chemoautotrophs were observed, though heterotrophic acidophiles were often the most abundant bacteria found in mineral leach liquors. Four bacteria not included in the mixed culture used to inoculate the columns were detected by biomolecular techniques and three of these (all Alicyclobacillus -like Firmicutes) were isolated as pure cultures. The fourth bacterium, identified from a clone library, was related to the Gram-positive sulfate reducer Desulfotomaculum salinum. All four were considered to have been present as endospores on the dried ore, which was not sterilized in the column bioreactors. Two of the Alicyclobacillus -like isolates were found, transiently, in large numbers in mineral leachates. The data support the hypothesis that temporal and spatial heterogeneity in mineral heaps create conditions that favour different mineral-oxidizing microflora, and that it is therefore important that sufficient microbial diversity is present in heaps to optimize metal extraction. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 739,750. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Hydrodynamics and mass transfer coefficient in activated sludge aerated stirred column reactor: experimental analysis and modeling

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2005
    Bo Jin
    Abstract The aerated stirred reactor (ASR) has been widely used in biochemical and wastewater treatment processes. The information describing how the activated sludge properties and operation conditions affect the hydrodynamics and mass transfer coefficient is missing in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of flow regime, superficial gas velocity (UG), power consumption unit (P/VL), sludge loading, and apparent viscosity (,ap) of activated sludge fluid on the mixing time (tm), gas hold-up (,), and volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) in an activated sludge aerated stirred column reactor (ASCR). The activated sludge fluid performed a non-Newtonian rheological behavior. The sludge loading significantly affected the fluid hydrodynamics and mass transfer. With an increase in the UG and P/VL, the , and kLa increased, and the tm, decreased. The ,, kLa, and tm, were influenced dramatically as the flow regime changed from homogeneous to heterogeneous patterns. The proposed mathematical models predicted the experimental results well under experimental conditions, indicating that the UG, P/VL, and ,ap had significant impact on the tm, ,, and kLa. These models were able to give the tm, ,, and kLa values with an error around ±8%, and always less than ±10%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Downstream Processing of Enzymatically Produced Geranyl Glucoside

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 5 2001
    B. Mattheus de Roode
    Geraniol plays an important role in the fragrance and flavor industry. The corresponding glucoside has interesting properties as a "slow release" aroma compound. Therefore, the enzymatic production and downstream processing of geranyl glucoside were investigated. Geranyl glucoside was produced in a spray column reactor with an initial production rate of 0.58 mg U,1 h,1. A pretreated hydrophobic microfiltration membrane was used to prevent migration of the aqueous, enzyme-containing phase to the downstream process. No retention of the glucoside, which accumulated in the geraniol phase, was found. On the basis of examples from the literature, four downstream processes were tested on their viability for this system. Extraction with water and foaming were not suitable to recover geranyl glucoside from geraniol. In the first case, the glucoside selectivity for the geraniol phase was found to be high, which made extraction with water unsuccessful. In the second case it was possible to obtain a stable foam, but significant enrichment of the foam with glucoside did not occur. Adsorption on alumina and distillation under reduced pressure were applied successfully and tested in-line with the bioreactor. A maximum glucoside adsorption of 7.86 mg g,1 was achieved on alumina. After desorption and evaporation of the extractant the pure glucoside was obtained quantitatively. A pure product could not be obtained after distillation because a small amount of glucose was present in the permeate as well, which accumulated in the bottom fraction. It was shown that with this reactor system a production of 1 kg of geranyl glucoside in 2 days is possible using an initial amount of 50,000 units of enzyme. [source]


    Numerical Simulation of Absorbing CO2 with Ionic Liquids

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 10 2010
    X. Wang
    Abstract Although separating CO2 from flue gas with ionic liquids has been regarded as a new and effective method, the mass transfer properties of CO2 absorption in these solvents have not been researched. In this paper, a coupled computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model and population balance model (PBM) was applied to study the mass transfer properties for capturing CO2 with ionic liquids solvents. The numerical simulation was performed using the Fluent code. Considering the unique properties of ionic liquids, the Eulerian-Eulerian two-flow model with a new drag coefficient correlation was employed for the gas-liquid fluid dynamic simulation. The gas holdup, interfacial area, and bubble size distribution in the bubble column reactor were predicted. The mass transfer coefficients were estimated with Higbie's penetration model. Furthermore, the velocity field and pressure field in the reactor were also predicted in this paper. [source]


    CFD Modeling of a Bubble Column Reactor Carrying out a Consecutive A , B , C Reaction

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 4 2004
    J.M. van Baten
    Abstract In this paper, we develop a CFD model for describing a bubble column reactor for carrying out a consecutive first-order reaction sequence A , B , C. Three reactor configurations, all operating in the homogeneous bubbly regime, were investigated: (I) column diameter DT = 0.1 m, column height HT = 1.1 m, (II) DT = 0.1 m, HT = 2 m, and (III) DT = 1 m, HT = 5 m. Eulerian simulations were carried out for superficial gas velocities UG in the range of 0.005,0.04 m/s, assuming cylindrical axisymmetry. Additionally, for configurations I and III fully three-dimensional transient simulations were carried out for checking the assumption of cylindrical axisymmetry. For the 0.1 m diameter column (configuration I), 2-D axisymmetric and 3-D transient simulations yield nearly the same results for gas holdup ,G, centerline liquid velocity VL(0), conversion of A, ,A, and selectivity to B, SB. In sharp contrast, for the 1 m diameter column (configuration III), there are significant differences in the CFD predictions of ,G, VL(0), ,A, and SB using 2-D and 3-D simulations; the 2-D strategies tend to exaggerate VL(0), and underpredict ,G, ,A, and SB. The transient 3-D simulation results appear to be more realistic. The CFD simulation results for ,A and SB are also compared with a simple analytic model, often employed in practice, in which the gas phase is assumed to be in plug flow and the liquid phase is well mixed. For the smaller diameter columns (configurations I and II) the CFD simulation results for ,A are in excellent agreement with the analytic model, but for the larger diameter column the analytic model is somewhat optimistic. There are two reasons for this deviation. Firstly, the gas phase is not in perfect plug flow and secondly, the liquid phase is not perfectly mixed. The computational results obtained in this paper demonstrate the power of CFD for predicting the performance of bubble column reactors. Of particular use is the ability of CFD to describe scale effects. [source]


    Statistical sensitivity analysis of packed column reactors for contaminated wastewater

    ENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 8 2003
    A. Fassò
    Abstract In this article we consider the statistical sensitivity analysis of heavy metal biosorption in contaminated wastewater packed column reactors. In particular, the model describes the biosorption phenomenon using the Advection Dispersion Reaction equation under rapid local equilibrium. This allows computer simulation with random input parameters chosen from appropriate probability distributions. In order to have a statistical framework for analyzing the simulated data and assessing input importance, we introduce heteroskedastic and multivariate sensitivity analysis, which extends standard sensitivity analysis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Triphase Hydrogenation Reactions Utilizing Palladium-Immobilized Capillary Column Reactors and a Demonstration of Suitability for Large Scale Synthesis

    ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 15 2005
    Juta Kobayashi
    Abstract We have developed a practical and highly productive system for hydrogenation reactions utilizing capillary column reactors, which occupy less space than ordinary batch systems, are low cost and easy to handle, and show feasibility toward large-scale chemical synthesis. Palladium-containing micelles were immobilized onto the inner surface of the capillaries. Nine palladium-immobilized capillaries were assembled and connected to a T-shaped connector, and hydrogen and a substrate solution were fed to capillaries via the connector. Hydrogenation of 1-phenyl-1-cyclohexene (1) proceeded smoothly to give phenylcyclohexane in quantitative yield. The capillaries themselves occupy only ca. 0.4,mL and a high space-time yield has been achieved (124.3,mg/17,min/0.4,mL). In addition, leaching of palladium was not detected by ICP analysis after reactions. [source]


    Efficiency of non-reactive isothermal bubble column based on mass transfer

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2008
    Subrata Kumar Majumder Assistant Professor
    Abstract Bubble column reactor as a gas,liquid contactor is extensively used in the chemical and biochemical industries. Mass transfer coefficients governing the transport processes in bubble contactors are a growing concern in chemical and biotechnological processes whose rates are often limited by the mass transfer rate. The influences of different physical, dynamic and geometric variables affect the efficiency characterization of the equipment which are involved in gas/liquid mass transfer processes. This characterization has great importance to optimize the process plant design. In this article, efficiency of two-phase mass transfer in bubble column reactors has been analyzed based on dynamic, geometric and physical variables of the system. An empirical correlation for mass transfer efficiency has also been developed in terms of those variables. The present analysis on the gas,liquid mass transfer efficiency of bubble column may give insight into a further understanding and modeling of multiphase reactors in industrial applications. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Production of astaxanthin by Haematococcus pluvialis: Taking the one-step system outdoors

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009
    M. Carmen García-Malea
    Abstract The feasibility of a one-step method for the continuous production of astaxanthin by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis has been verified outdoors. To this end, influence of dilution rate, nitrate concentration in the feed medium, and irradiance on the performance of continuous cultures of H. pluvialis was firstly analyzed indoors in bubble column reactors under daylight cycles, and then outdoors, using a tubular photobioreactor. At the laboratory scale, the behavior of the cultures agreed with that previously recorded in continuous illumination experiences, and attested that the major factors determining biomass and astaxanthin productivity were average irradiance and specific nitrate supply. The rate of astaxanthin accumulation was proportional to the average irradiance inside the culture, provided that a nitrate limiting situation had been established. The accumulation of astaxanthin under daylight cycles was maximal for a specific nitrate input of 0.5 mmol/g,day. The recorded performance has been modeled on the basis of previously developed equations, and the validity of the model checked under outdoor conditions. Productivity values for biomass and astaxanthin of 0.7 g/L,day and 8.0 mg/L,day respectively, were obtained in a pilot scale tubular photobioreactor operating under continuous conditions outdoors. The magnitude of the experimental values, which matched those simulated from the obtained model, demonstrate that astaxanthin can be efficiently produced outdoors in continuous mode through a precise dosage of the specific nitrate input, taking also into consideration the average irradiance inside the culture. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 651,657. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Microbiological and geochemical dynamics in simulated-heap leaching of a polymetallic sulfide ore

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2008
    Kathryn Wakeman
    Abstract The evolution of microbial populations involved in simulated-heap leaching of a polymetallic black schist sulfide ore (from the recently-commissioned Talvivaara mine, Finland) was monitored in aerated packed bed column reactors over a period of 40 weeks. The influence of ore particle size (2-6.5 mm and 6.5-12 mm) on changes in composition of the bioleaching microflora and mineral leaching dynamics in columns was investigated and compared to fine-grain (<2 µm) ore that was bioprocessed in shake flask cultures. Both column reactors and shake flasks were inoculated with 24 different species and strains of mineral-oxidizing and other acidophilic micro-organisms, and maintained at 37°C. Mineral oxidation was most rapid in shake flask cultures, with about 80% of both manganese and nickel and 68% of zinc being leached within 6 weeks, though relatively little of the copper present in the ore was solubilised. The microbial consortium that emerged from the original inoculum was relatively simple in shake flasks, and was dominated by the iron-oxidizing autotroph Leptospirillum ferriphilum, with smaller numbers of Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus caldus and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. Both metal recovery and (for the most part) total numbers of prokaryotes were greater in the column reactor containing the medium-grain than that containing the coarse-grain ore. The bioleaching communities in the columns displayed temporal changes in composition and differed radically from those in shake flask cultures. While iron-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacteria were always the most numerically dominant bacteria in the medium-grain column bioreactor, there were major shifts in the most abundant species present, with the type strain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans dominating in the early phase of the experiment and other bacteria (At. ferrooxidans NO37 and L. ferriphilum) dominating from week 4 to week 40. With the coarse-grain column bioreactor, similar transitions in populations of iron-oxidizing chemoautotrophs were observed, though heterotrophic acidophiles were often the most abundant bacteria found in mineral leach liquors. Four bacteria not included in the mixed culture used to inoculate the columns were detected by biomolecular techniques and three of these (all Alicyclobacillus -like Firmicutes) were isolated as pure cultures. The fourth bacterium, identified from a clone library, was related to the Gram-positive sulfate reducer Desulfotomaculum salinum. All four were considered to have been present as endospores on the dried ore, which was not sterilized in the column bioreactors. Two of the Alicyclobacillus -like isolates were found, transiently, in large numbers in mineral leachates. The data support the hypothesis that temporal and spatial heterogeneity in mineral heaps create conditions that favour different mineral-oxidizing microflora, and that it is therefore important that sufficient microbial diversity is present in heaps to optimize metal extraction. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 739,750. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    CFD Modeling of a Bubble Column Reactor Carrying out a Consecutive A , B , C Reaction

    CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 4 2004
    J.M. van Baten
    Abstract In this paper, we develop a CFD model for describing a bubble column reactor for carrying out a consecutive first-order reaction sequence A , B , C. Three reactor configurations, all operating in the homogeneous bubbly regime, were investigated: (I) column diameter DT = 0.1 m, column height HT = 1.1 m, (II) DT = 0.1 m, HT = 2 m, and (III) DT = 1 m, HT = 5 m. Eulerian simulations were carried out for superficial gas velocities UG in the range of 0.005,0.04 m/s, assuming cylindrical axisymmetry. Additionally, for configurations I and III fully three-dimensional transient simulations were carried out for checking the assumption of cylindrical axisymmetry. For the 0.1 m diameter column (configuration I), 2-D axisymmetric and 3-D transient simulations yield nearly the same results for gas holdup ,G, centerline liquid velocity VL(0), conversion of A, ,A, and selectivity to B, SB. In sharp contrast, for the 1 m diameter column (configuration III), there are significant differences in the CFD predictions of ,G, VL(0), ,A, and SB using 2-D and 3-D simulations; the 2-D strategies tend to exaggerate VL(0), and underpredict ,G, ,A, and SB. The transient 3-D simulation results appear to be more realistic. The CFD simulation results for ,A and SB are also compared with a simple analytic model, often employed in practice, in which the gas phase is assumed to be in plug flow and the liquid phase is well mixed. For the smaller diameter columns (configurations I and II) the CFD simulation results for ,A are in excellent agreement with the analytic model, but for the larger diameter column the analytic model is somewhat optimistic. There are two reasons for this deviation. Firstly, the gas phase is not in perfect plug flow and secondly, the liquid phase is not perfectly mixed. The computational results obtained in this paper demonstrate the power of CFD for predicting the performance of bubble column reactors. Of particular use is the ability of CFD to describe scale effects. [source]