Mass Transfer Coefficient (mass + transfer_coefficient)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Chemistry

Kinds of Mass Transfer Coefficient

  • volumetric mass transfer coefficient


  • Selected Abstracts


    Explaining the enhanced performance of pulsed bioreactors by mechanistic modeling

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2008
    Amaya Franco
    Abstract In this work, steady-state mass balance based models were applied to two UASB reactors and three UAF for a better understanding of the role of pulsation on the efficacy improvement. Models were defined taking into account the hydraulic behavior of each digester and the limiting mechanism of the overall process kinetics (mass transfer or biochemical reaction rate). The application of the model allows to identify that mass transfer was the controlling step in all the reactors, except for the nonpulsed UASB, where methanogenic activity controlled the reactor performance in the last operation steady states. Mass transfer coefficients were higher for pulsed reactors and, in general, a good agreement between those estimated by an empirical correlation and from the model was obtained. Damköhler number values supported that the external mass transfer resistance was not negligible with respect to the process kinetic and in addition, in most cases, it controls the overall process in the reactors. The relative importance of external and internal mass transfer rate was calculated through the Biot number. The values of this dimensionless module indicated that external transport was the main contributor to overall mass transfer resistance. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008 [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]


    The long-term fate of polychlorinated biphenyls in San Francisco Bay (USA)

    ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2004
    Jay A. Davis
    Abstract A simple one-box mass budget model is presented as a first step toward a quantitative understanding of the long-term fate of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in San Francisco Bay (USA). Sensitivity analysis indicated that the most influential input parameters were degradation half-life in sediment, Kow, outflow, average PCB concentration in sediment, and depth of the active sediment layer. Moderately influential parameters included organic carbon content of suspended solids, sediment burial mass transfer coefficient, and Henry's law constant. If external loading could be eliminated entirely, the mass of PCBs in the bay is predicted to drop to half of the present value in 20 years. The model predicts that sustained loading of 10 kg year,1 would prevent the total PCB mass in the bay from ever dropping below 10% of the present mass. With a sustained loading of 20 kg year,1, the model predicts that the total PCB mass would never fall below about 25% of the present mass. The half-lives in the bay for the individual PCB congeners evaluated in this report ranged from four years for PCB 18 to 30 years for PCB 194. [source]


    Pedotransfer functions for solute transport parameters of Portuguese soils

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2001
    M. C. Gonc, alves
    Summary The purpose of this study is to quantify solute transport parameters of fine-textured soils in an irrigation district in southern Portugal and to investigate their prediction from basic soil properties and unsaturated hydraulic parameters. Solute displacement experiments were carried out on 24 undisturbed soil samples by applying a 0.05 m KCl pulse during steady flow. The chloride breakthrough curves (BTCs) were asymmetric, with early breakthrough and considerable tailing characteristic of non-equilibrium transport. The retardation factor (R), dispersion coefficient (D), partitioning coefficient (,), and mass transfer coefficient (,) were estimated by optimizing the solution of the non-equilibrium convection,dispersion equation (CDE) to the breakthrough data. The solution could adequately describe the observed data as proved by a median of 0.972 for the coefficient of determination (r2) and a median for the mean squared error (MSE) of 5.1 × 10,6. The median value for R of 0.587 suggests that Cl, was excluded from a substantial part of the liquid phase. The value for , was typically less than 0.5, but the non-equilibrium effects were mitigated by a large mass transfer coefficient (, > 1). Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were developed with regression and neural network analyses to predict R, D, , and , from basic soil properties and unsaturated hydraulic parameters. Fairly accurate predictions could be obtained for logD (r2 , 0.9) and , (r2 , 0.8). Prediction for R and log, were relatively poor (r2 , 0.5). The artificial neural networks were all somewhat more accurate than the regression equations. The networks are also more suitable for predicting transport parameters because they require only three input variables, whereas the regression equations contain many predictor variables. [source]


    Silicone oil: An effective absorbent for the removal of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
    Guillaume Darracq
    Abstract BACKGROUND: Hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as toluene, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), are poorly soluble in water and classical air treatment processes like chemical scrubbers are not efficient. An alternative technique involving an absorption step in an organic solvent followed by a biodegradation phase was proposed. The solvent must fulfil several characteristics, which are key factors of process efficiency, and a previous study allowed polydimethylsiloxane (or PDMS, i.e. silicone oil) to be selected for this purpose. The aim of this paper was to determine some of its characteristics like absorption capacity and velocity performances (Henry's constant, diffusivity and mass transfer coefficient), and to verify its non-biodegradability. RESULTS: For the three targeted VOCs, Henry's constants in silicone oil were very low compared to those in water, and solubility was infinite. Diffusivity values were found to be in the range 10,10 to 10,11 m2 s,1 and mass transfer coefficients did not show significant differences between the values in pure water and pure silicone oil, in the range 1.0 × 10,3 to 4.0 × 10,3 s,1 for all the VOCs considered. Silicone oil was also found to be non-biodegradable, since its biological oxygen demand (BOD5) value was zero. CONCLUSION: Absorption performances of silicone oil towards toluene, DMS and DMDS were determined and showed that this solvent could be used during the first step of the process. Moreover, its low biodegradability and its absence of toxicity justify its use as an absorbent phase for the integrated process being considered. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Investigation of multiphase hydrogenation in a catalyst-trap microreactor

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
    S. McGovern
    BACKGROUND: Multiphase hydrogenation plays a critical role in the pharmaceutical industry. A significant portion of the reaction steps in a typical fine chemical synthesis are catalytic hydrogenations, generally limited by resistances to mass and heat transport. To this end, the small-scale and large surface-to-volume ratios of microreactor technology would greatly benefit chemical processing in the pharmaceutical and other industries. A silicon microreactor has been developed to investigate mass transfer in a catalytic hydrogenation reaction. The reactor design is such that solid catalyst is suspended in the reaction channel by an arrangement of catalyst traps. The design supports the use of commercial catalyst and allows control of pressure drop across the bed by engineering the packing density. RESULTS: This paper discusses the design and operation of the reactor in the context of the liquid-phase hydrogenation of o-nitroanisole to o-anisidine. A two-phase ,flow map' is generated across a range of conditions depicting three flow regimes, termed gas-dominated, liquid-dominated, and transitional, all with distinctly different mass transfer behavior. Conversion is measured across the flow map and then reconciled against the mass transfer characteristics of the prevailing flow regime. The highest conversion is achieved in the transitional flow regime, where competition between phases induces the most favorable gas,liquid mass transfer. CONCLUSION: The results are used to associate a mass transfer coefficient with each flow regime to quantify differences in performance. This reactor architecture may be useful for catalyst evaluation through rapid screening, or in large numbers as an alternative to macro-scale production reactors. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Effect of oxygen transfer rates on alcohols production by Candida guilliermondii cultivated on soybean hull hydrolysate

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
    Ângela Cristina Schirmer-Michel
    Abstract BACKGROUND: In this research the use of soybean hull hydrolysate (SHH) as substrate for xylitol and ethanol production using an osmotolerant strain of Candida guilliermondii was studied. The production of alcohols was investigated in batch cultivations in which the variable parameter was the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (kLa) obtained from three different conditions of air supply: anaerobic (150 rpm, no aeration); microaerobic (300 rpm, 1 vvm), and aerobic (600 rpm, 2 vvm), corresponding to kLa values of 0; 8; and 46 h,1, respectively. RESULTS: SHH, although presenting a very high osmotic pressure (1413 mOsm kg,1), was completely metabolized under aerobic conditions with high biomass productivities of 0.49 g cells (L h),1, with little formation of ethanol. Xylitol was produced under microaeration, with product yield of 0.22 g g,1 xylose, with the formation of glycerol as a by-product. No xylose was metabolized under anaerobic conditions, but ethanol was produced from hexoses with high product yields of 0.5 g g,1. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the hydrolysis of soybean hull and its conversion to ethanol and other alcohols could be an important use of this agro-industrial waste, which could be used for biofuel, xylitol or biomass production, depending on the aeration conditions of the cultures. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Removal of H2S and volatile organic sulfur compounds by silicone membrane extraction

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
    I. Manconi
    Abstract BACKGROUND: This study explores an alternative process for the abatement and/or desulfurization of H2S and volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSC) containing waste streams, which employs a silicone-based membrane to simultaneously remove H2S and VOSC. An extractive membrane reactor allows the selective withdrawal of VOSC and H2S simultaneously from the waste stream, while preventing direct contact between the waste stream and the absorbing solution and/or the biological treatment system. The influence of the sulfur compounds, membrane characteristics, extractant and pH was studied. RESULTS: Sulfide and the VOCS studied, i.e. methanethiol (MT), ethanethiol (ET) and dimethylsulfide (DMS) were removed from the synthetic wastewater using a silicone rubber membrane. Methanethiol showed the highest (8.72 × 10,6 m s,1) overall mass transfer coefficient (kov) and sulfide the lowest kov value (1.23 × 10,6 m s,1). Adsorption of the VOCS into the silicone membrane reduced the overall mass transfer coefficient. The kov when using Fe(III)EDTA, as extractant (5.81 × 10,7 m s,1) for sulfide extraction was one order of magnitude lower than with anaerobic water (2.54 × 10,6 m s,1). On the other hand, the sulfide removal efficiency with Fe(III)EDTA, was higher (84%) compared with anaerobic water (60%) as extractant. An additional mass transfer resistance was formed by elemental sulfur which remained attached to the membrane surface. CONCLUSIONS: Extraction of sulfide and VOCS from a synthetic wastewater solution through a silicone rubber membrane is a feasible process as alternative to the techniques developed to treat VOSC emissions. Optimizing the aqueous absorption liquid can increase the efficiency of extraction based processes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Solid,liquid mass transfer characteristics of an unbaffled agitated vessel with an unsteadily forward,reverse rotating impeller

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    Shuichi Tezura
    Abstract To develop an enhanced form of solid-liquid apparatus, an unbaffled agitated vessel has been constructed, fitted with an agitation system using an impeller whose rotation alternates unsteadily in direction, i.e. a forward-reverse rotating impeller. In this vessel, solid-liquid mass transfer was studied using a disc turbine impeller with six flat blades. The effect of impeller rotation rate as an operating variable on the mass transfer coefficient was evaluated experimentally using various geometrical conditions of the apparatus, such as impeller diameter and height, in relation to the impeller power consumption. Mixing of gas above the free surface into the bulk liquid, i.e. surface aeration, which accompanied the solid-liquid agitation, was also investigated. Comparison of the mass transfer characteristics between this type of vessel and a baffled vessel with a unidirectional rotating impeller underscored the sufficient solid-liquid contact for prevention of gas mixing in the forward-reverse rotation mode of the impeller. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Measurement of mass transfer coefficient in an airlift reactor with internal loop using coalescent and non-coalescent liquid media

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2004
    M Bla
    Abstract In this work the sulfite oxidation (SOM), dynamic pressure-step (DPM) and gassing-out (GOM) methods were compared for volumetric mass transfer coefficient measurement in an airlift reactor with internal loop. As a liquid phase both, non-coalescent and coalescent media were used. Among the methods discussed here, the mass transfer coefficient (kLa) values obtained by the DPM appear as the most reliable as they were found to be independent of oxygen concentration in the inlet gas, which confirmed the physical correctness of this method. The difference between data measured using air and oxygen was not higher than 10%, which was comparable to the scatter of experimental data. It has been found that the sulfite oxidation method yielded kLa values only a little higher than those obtained by the DPM and the difference did not exceed 10%. Up to an inlet gas velocity (UGC) of ,0.03 m s,1 the GOM using oxygen as a gas medium gave kLa values in fact identical with those obtained by the DPM. At higher flows of the inlet gas, the GOM yielded kLa values as much as 15% lower. The enhancement in oxygen mass transfer rate determined in non-coalescent media was estimated to be up to +15%, when compared with a coalescent batch. The experimental dependence of kLa vs the overall gas hold-up was described by an empirical correlation.1 Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    CONCENTRATION BOUNDARY CONDITIONS IN THE THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF CONVECTIVE DRYING PROCESS

    JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007
    AHMET KAYA
    ABSTRACT In the theoretical analysis of convective drying process, two boundary conditions are common for concentration: constant concentration and convection. In this study, these two boundary conditions were comparatively examined by comparing theoretical results obtained with regard to experimental ones. Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) was considered as the product to be dried while air was the drying medium. The drying characteristics of pumpkin were determined for various values of drying air parameters, including temperature, velocity and relative humidity. Sorption isotherms of the dried pumpkin were also determined for different temperatures and water activities. The values of the effective moisture diffusivity, Deff, and the convective mass transfer coefficient, hm, were predicted, and these values were found to agree fairly well with those available in the existing literature. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Convective drying as well as other drying techniques are used in order to preserve and store agricultural products for longer periods by removing some of their moisture content. Drying is a complicated process involving simultaneous heat and mass transfer under transient conditions. Understanding the heat and mass transfer in the product will help to improve drying process parameters and hence the quality. [source]


    Development and Evaluation of an Ozonated Water System for Antimicrobial Treatment of Durum Wheat

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009
    B. Dhillon
    ABSTRACT:, Ozonated water is reported to be effective in reducing the microbial load in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. Ozonated water may be an effective alternative to chlorinated water in treating durum wheat before milling. Therefore, durum wheat was washed with ozonated water and analyzed for yeast and mold count (YMC) and aerobic plate count (APC). A system for producing and monitoring ozonated water was developed. The effect of water quality (tap, distilled, and ultra-pure), temperature (7, 15, and 25 °C), and pH (2, 4, and 6.5) was evaluated on the following: steady-state dissolved ozone concentration, ozone decay constant, half-life, mass transfer coefficient, equilibrium ozone concentration, and solubility ratio. The study of these parameters was important to attain a stable, high dissolved ozone concentration at the outset of washing and to have information for system improvement and scale-up. A 1% acetic acid solution (pH 2) at 15 °C resulted in high dissolved ozone concentration (21.8 mg/L) and long half-life (9.2 min). Subsequently, wheat was washed with 5 wash water types: distilled water, ozonated water (16.5 mg/L), chlorinated water (700 mg/L), acetic acid solution (1%), and acetic acid + ozonated water (1%, 20.5 mg/L). The treated samples were analyzed for YMC and APC. The acetic acid + ozonated water treatment was the most effective, with a reduction of 4.1 and 3.2 log10 colony forming units/g in YMC and APC, respectively. Though ozonated water was not very effective alone, it was useful in combination with acetic acid. [source]


    Influence of elevated pressure and particle lyophobicity on hydrodynamics and gas,liquid mass transfer in slurry bubble columns

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010
    Vinit P. Chilekar
    Abstract This article reports on the influence of elevated pressure and catalyst particle lyophobicity at particle concentrations up to 3 vol % on the hydrodynamics and the gas-to-liquid mass transfer in a slurry bubble column. The study was done with demineralized water (aqueous phase) and Isopar-M oil (organic phase) slurries in a 0.15 m internal diameter bubble column operated at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 1.3 MPa. The overall gas hold-up, the flow regime transition point, the average large bubble diameter, and the centerline liquid velocity were measured along with the gas,liquid mass transfer coefficient. The gas hold-up and the flow regime transition point are not influenced by the presence of lyophilic particles. Lyophobic particles shift the regime transition to a higher gas velocity and cause foam formation. Increasing operating pressure significantly increases the gas hold-up and the regime transition velocity, irrespective of the particle lyophobicity. The gas,liquid mass transfer coefficient is proportional to the gas hold-up for all investigated slurries and is not affected by the particle lyophobicity, the particle concentration, and the operating pressure. A correlation is presented to estimate the gas,liquid mass transfer coefficient as a function of the measured gas hold-up: . © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


    Nitration of nitrobenzene at high-concentrations of sulfuric acid: Mass transfer and kinetic aspects

    AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010
    M. Rahaman
    Abstract This article reports studies on mass transfer and kinetics of nitration of nitrobenzene at high concentrations of sulfuric acid in a batch reactor at different temperatures. The effects of concentration of sulfuric acid, speed of stirring, and temperature on mass transfer coefficient were investigated. The kinetics of nitration under homogenized conditions was studied at different sulfuric acid concentrations at these temperatures. The reaction rate constants were determined. The variation of rate constant with sulfuric acid concentration was explained by the Mc function. The activation energies of the reactions were determined from the Arrhenius plots. The regimes of the reactions were determined using the values of the mass transfer coefficients and the reaction rate constants. A model was developed for simultaneous mass transfer and chemical reaction in the aqueous phase. The yields of the three isomers of dinitrobenzene were determined, and the variation of isomer distribution with sulfuric acid concentration and temperature was analyzed. This work demonstrates that more than 90% conversion of nitrobenzene is possible at high-sulfuric acid concentrations resulting in high yield of the product even at moderate temperatures and at low speeds of stirring. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


    Modeling of protein breakthrough performance in cryogel columns by taking into account the overall axial dispersion

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 15-16 2009
    Junxian Yun
    Abstract A model considering the overall axial dispersion for describing protein adsorption and breakthrough in monolithic cryogel beds has been developed. The microstructure of cryogels was characterized by tortuous capillaries with a normal diameter distribution but a constant pore wall thickness. The axial dispersion within cryogel columns was described by using the overall axial dispersion coefficient, which can be easily obtained by matching the experimental breakthrough curves without adsorption or measuring residence time distributions (RTDs). Experimental breakthrough curves of lysozyme within a metal-chelated affinity cryogel by Persson et al. (Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2004, 88, 224,236) and a cation-exchange cryogel by Yao et al. (J. Chromatogr. A 2007, 1157, 246,251) were employed as examples to test the model. The results showed that by using the axial dispersion coefficient and assuming uniform radial concentration profile at a given cross-section of the cryogel along the bed height, the model can describe the detailed behaviors of the in-bed overall axial dispersion, the in-pore mass transfer, as well as the protein adsorption and breakthrough. For a known overall axial dispersion coefficient, the lumped parameter of the mass transfer coefficient between the bulk liquid and the capillary wall can be determined by fitting the protein breakthrough curve at a known chromatographic condition. Once this parameter is determined, the model can be used to predict the protein breakthrough profiles under different conditions based on the basic physical parameters of the cryogel bed and the properties of the fluid and protein. The effective capillary diameters employed in the model are close to the actual pore sizes observed from the images by SEM. The model predictions of lysozyme breakthrough profiles at various flow rates are also in good agreement with the experimental data in both the metal-chelated affinity and cation-exchange cryogel columns. [source]


    Dehydration kinetics of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L var Jaranda)

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 7 2003
    N Sanjuán
    Abstract Shredded and whole red pepper samples were dehydrated in a laboratory drier with a through-flow air velocity of 0.5,m,s,1 at 50, 55, 60 and 70,°C. Shredded peppers dried faster than whole peppers. The drying behaviour of whole samples was characterised by a constant- and a falling-rate drying period, whilst that of shredded samples was characterised by a falling-rate drying period only. The mass transfer coefficient for whole samples during the constant-rate period was computed experimentally. The effect of temperature on the mass transfer coefficient was described by the Arrhenius model. The activation energy was 58,kJ,mol,1. In the falling-rate period the mass transfer was described by a diffusional model, and the effective diffusion coefficient at each temperature was determined. Diffusion coefficients were estimated to lie between 4.38,×,10,11 and 10.99,×,10,11,m2,s,1 for whole peppers and between 37.23,×,10,11 and 99.61,×,10,11,m2,s,1 for shredded peppers. The effect of temperature on the effective diffusion coefficient was described by the Arrhenius equation, with an activation energy of 44,kJ,mol,1 for whole peppers and 56,kJ,mol,1 for shredded peppers. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Mass transfer during air humidification in spouted beds

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009
    Andrzej Kmiec
    Abstract This article presents the results obtained from analysing the impacts of bed media, static bed height, and the water-to-air mass flow ratios on the mass transfer coefficient and Colburn factor. The experimental data were compared with the correlations for mass transfer and the analogy between heat and mass transfer in conical spouted beds described earlier in literature. Moreover, the aim of the article is to present some new correlations of dimensionless groups for description of mass transfer and analogy of heat and mass transfer in sprayed spouted beds, which were developed by the authors. Cet exposé présente les résultats obtenus suite à l'analyse de l'impact du médium et de la hauteur statique du lit, des rapports d'écoulement de la masse eau-air sur le coefficient de transfert de masse et le facteur de Colburn. Les données expérimentales ont été comparées aux corrélations pour le transfert de masse et à l'analogie entre le transfert de chaleur et de masse dans des lits jaillissants coniques décrits plus tôt dans la documentation. En outre, le but de l'article est de présenter quelques nouvelles corrélations de groupes adimensionnels, développées par les auteurs, en vue de décrire le transfert de masse et l'analogie du transfert de chaleur et de masse dans les lits jaillissants pulvérisés. [source]


    The Effect of Bed Temperature on Mass Transfer between the Bubble and Emulsion Phases in a Fluidized Bed

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2003
    Wenyuan Wu
    Abstract The rate of interphase mass transfer between the bubble and emulsion phases of a bubbling fluidized bed is of primary importance in all models for fluidized bed reactors. Many experimental studies have been reported, however, all these investigations have been carried out in fluidized beds operated at room temperature. In this work, the effect of the bed temperature on the interphase mass transfer is reported. Single bubbles containing argon , used as a tracer , were injected into an incipiently fluidized bed maintained at the required temperature. The change in argon concentration in the bubble was measured using a suction probe connected to a mass spectrometer. The effects of bed particle type and size, bubble size, and bed temperature on the mass transfer coefficient were examined experimentally. The interphase mass transfer coefficient was found to decrease with the increase in bed temperature and bubble size, and increase slightly with increase in particle size. Experimental data obtained in this study were compared with some frequently used correlations for estimation of the mass transfer coefficient. Le taux de transfert de matière interphasique entre les phases à bulles et à émulsion d'un lit fluidisé bullant est de première importance dans tous les modèles de réacteurs à lits fluidisés. Beaucoup d'études expérimentales ont été présentées; toutefois, toutes ces recherches ont été menées dans des lits fluidisés fonctionnant à la température ambiante. Dans ce travail, on décrit l'effet de la température du lit sur le taux de transfert de matière. Des bulles simples contenant de l'argon – utilisé comme traceur – ont été injectées dans un lit fluidisé naissant maintenu à la température requise. Le changement de concentration d'argon dans la bulle est mesuré à l'aide d'une sonde de succion reliée à un spectromètre de masse. Les effets du type et de la taille des particules de lit, de la taille des bulles et de la température de lit sur le coefficient de transfert de matière sont examinés de façon expérimentale. On a trouvé que le coefficient de transfert de matière interphasique diminuait avec l'augmentation de la température du lit et de la taille des bulles, et augmentait légèrement avec l'augmentation de la taille des particules. Les données expérimentales obtenues dans cette étude sont comparées avec quelques corrélations fréquemment utilisées pour l'estimation du coefficient de transfert de matière. [source]


    Intensification of Slurry Bubble Columns by Vibration Excitement

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3-4 2003
    Jürg Ellenberger
    Abstract We show that application of low-frequency vibrations, in the 30 to 60 Hz range, to the liquid phase of an air , water , silica catalyst slurry bubble column causes significant enhancement of both gas holdup and volumetric mass transfer coefficient over a wide range of superficial gas velocities. The increase in the gas holdup is attributed mainly to a significant reduction in the rise velocity of the bubble swarm due to the generation of standing waves in the column. Furthermore, application of vibrations to the liquid phase serves to stabilize the homogenous bubbly flow regime and delay the onset of the churn-turbulent flow regime. On montre que l'application de vibrations de faibles fréquences (entre 30 et 60 Hz) à la phase liquide d'une colonne à bulles à suspensions de catalyseur air-eau-silice, permet une amélioration significative à la fois du coefficient de rétention de gaz et du coefficient du transfert de matière volumétrique pour une vaste gamme de vitesses de gaz superficielles. L'augmentation de la rétention de gaz est imputée principalement à une réduction importante de la vitesse de montée de l'essaim de bulles qui est due à la création de vagues stationnaires dans la colonne. En outre, l'application des vibrations à la phase liquide sert à stabiliser le régime d'écoulement à bulles homogène et retarde l'apparition du régime d'écoulement agité-pistonnant. [source]


    Modeling of a process for removal of metal ions by electromigration and electrodeposition

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2002
    Kanchan Mondal
    Abstract A mathematical model for the removal of impurities of the metal ions of Fe, Ni, and Cu from hard chromium plating solution by electromigration and subsequent electrodeposition has been developed and presented. Experimental data for the metal removal at 45°C and constant cell voltage using o-phosphoric acid as the catholyte are presented. Up to 36% iron and 29% nickel removal is obtained over about 25 h. The copper removal rate is observed to be approximately four times greater than the rate of nickel removal. The experimental data were found to closely match results predicted from the model developed. The inherent model parameters such as mobility, diffusivity, mass transfer coefficient and metal deposition rate constants were estimated. The calculated values of these parameters are found to be in good agreement with the published data. On présente un modèle mathématique pour le retrait des impuretés des ions métalliques de Fe, Ni et Cu d'une solution de revêtement de chromage dur par électromigration et électrodéposition subséquente. Des données expérimentales pour le retrait métallique à 45°C et le voltage d'éléments constants à l'aide de l'acide o-phosphorique comme catholyte sont présentées. Un retrait de 36% pour le fer et de 29% pour le nickel est obtenu sur une période de 25 h approx. On observe que le taux de retrait du cuivre est approximativement quatre fois plus grand que le taux de retrait du nickel. Les données expérimentales concordent étroitement avec les résultats prédits à partir du modèle mis au point. Les paramètres propres du modèle comme la mobilité, la diffusivité, le coefficient de transfert de matière et les constantes de taux de déposition des métaux ont été estimés. Les valeurs calculées de ces paramètres montrent un bon accord avec les données publiées. [source]


    Gas,liquid mass transfer in three-phase inverse fluidized bed reactor with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2010
    V. Sivasubramanian
    Abstract Liquid-phase volumetric mass transfer coefficients, kLa were determined in three-phase inverse fluidized beds of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) spheres fluidized by a countercurrent flow of air and Newtonian (water and glycerol solutions) or non-Newtonian liquids [carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solutions]. The effects of liquid and gas velocities, particle size, solid loading and addition of organic additives (glycerol and CMC) on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa were determined. The superficial liquid velocity had a weak effect on the mass transfer whereas the gas flow rate affected the mass transfer positively. kLa increased with increase in particle diameter and decreased with increase in initial bed height (solid loading). kLa decreased as the concentration of glycerol (viscosity) and CMC increased. Empirical correlations are presented to predict the gas,liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficient in terms of operating variables. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Development of thin film composite for CO2 separation in membrane gas absorption application

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009
    A.L. Ahmad
    Abstract The thin film composite (TFC) membrane based on polypropylene (PP) and polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) was prepared using glutaraldehyde as the selective layer. The percentages of glutaraldehyde were optimized to maximize the permeability of carbon dioxide (CO2) and selectivity as well. The TFC with 6% w/v of glutaraldehyde based on PVDF achieved the highest permeance of 881.70 GPU and 18.08 for selectivity through the increase in effective layer and skin layer thickness. This TFC promises to provide porous and hydrophobic membranes for use in membrane gas absorption (MGA) processes. The absorption of CO2 in deionized water was studied in MGA system in which the mass transfer coefficient (K) and CO2 flux decreased with increasing CO2 concentration in feed stream. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Basic equations of mass transfer through biocatalytic membrane layer

    ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2009
    Endre Nagy
    Abstract The diffusive and convective mass transport through biocatalytic membrane layer (membrane bioreactor), without and with biochemical reactions, have been investigated. Similarly to the two-film theory for gas-liquid system with diffusive mass transport, only, mass transfer rates have been developed for the biocatalytic membrane layer and for the concentration boundary layer on the feed side of the membrane. Overall mass transfer coefficient has also been defined involving the two-layer, simultaneous mass transfer, namely the mass transfer through the concentration boundary layer and biocatalytic membrane layer. The effect of the convective velocity (Pe number) and the biochemical reaction rate, namely first-order and zero-order reactions as limiting cases of the Monod kinetics, are demonstrated on the mass transfer coefficients accompanied by chemical reaction and on the concentration profiles. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Kinetic modeling of a bi-enzymatic system for efficient conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009
    Wouter Van Hecke
    Abstract A model has been developed to describe the interaction between two enzymes and an intermediary redox mediator. In this bi-enzymatic process, the enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase oxidizes lactose at the C-1 position of the reducing sugar moiety to lactobionolactone, which spontaneously hydrolyzes to lactobionic acid. 2,2,-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt is used as electron acceptor and is continuously regenerated by laccase. Oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor and is fully reduced to water by laccase, a copper-containing oxidase. Oxygen is added to the system by means of bubble-free oxygenation. Using the model, the productivity of the process is investigated by simultaneous solution of the rate equations for varying enzyme quantities and redox mediator concentrations, solved with the aid of a numerical solution. The isocharts developed in this work provide an easy-to-use graphical tool to determine optimal process conditions. The model allows the optimization of the employed activities of the two enzymes and the redox mediator concentration for a given overall oxygen mass transfer coefficient by using the isocharts. Model predictions are well in agreement with the experimental data. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1475,1482. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Bubble-free oxygenation of a bi-enzymatic system: effect on biocatalyst stability

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2009
    Wouter Van Hecke
    Abstract The effect of bubble-free oxygenation on the stability of a bi-enzymatic system with redox mediator regeneration for the conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid was investigated in a miniaturized reactor with bubbleless oxygenation. Earlier investigations of this biocatalytic oxidation have shown that the dispersive addition of oxygen can cause significant enzyme inactivation. In the process studied, the enzyme cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) oxidizes lactose at the C-1 position of the reducing sugar moiety to lactobionolactone, which spontaneously hydrolyzes to lactobionic acid. 2,2,-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt was used as electron acceptor for CDH and was continuously regenerated (reoxidized) by laccase, a blue multi-copper oxidase. Oxygen served as the terminal electron acceptor of the reaction and was fully reduced to water by laccase. The overall mass transfer coefficient of the miniaturized reactor was determined at 30 and 45°C; conversions were conducted both in the reaction-limited and diffusion-limited regime to study catalyst inactivation. The bubbleless oxygenation was successful in avoiding gas/liquid interface inactivation. It was also shown that the oxidized redox mediator plays a key role in the inactivation mechanism of the biocatalysts unobserved during previous studies. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 122,131. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    Scale-up from shake flasks to fermenters in batch and continuous mode with Corynebacterium glutamicum on lactic acid based on oxygen transfer and pH

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2007
    Juri M. Seletzky
    Abstract Scale-up from shake flasks to fermenters has been hampered by the lack of knowledge concerning the influence of operating conditions on mass transfer, hydromechanics, and power input. However, in recent years the properties of shake flasks have been described with empirical models. A practical scale-up strategy for everyday use is introduced for the scale-up of aerobic cultures from shake flasks to fermenters in batch and continuous mode. The strategy is based on empirical correlations of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and the pH. The accuracy of the empirical kLa correlations and the assumptions required to use these correlations for an arbitrary biological medium are discussed. To determine the optimal pH of the culture medium a simple laboratory method based on titration curves of the medium and a mechanistic pH model, which is solely based on the medium composition, is applied. The effectiveness of the scale-up strategy is demonstrated by comparing the behavior of Corynebacterium glutamicum on lactic acid in shake flasks and fermenters in batch and continuous mode. The maximum growth rate (µmax,=,0.32 h,1) and the oxygen substrate coefficient (,=,0.0174 mol/l) of C. glutamicum on lactic acid were equal for shake flask, fermenter, batch, and continuous cultures. The biomass substrate yield was independent of the scale, but was lower in batch cultures (YX/S,=,0.36 g/g) than in continuous cultures (YX/S,=,0.45 g/g). The experimental data (biomass, respiration, pH) could be described with a simple biological model combined with a mechanistic pH model. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 98: 800,811. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


    A simple method to estimate the contribution of biological floc and reactor-solution to mass transfer of oxygen in activated sludge processes

    BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2005
    Venkatram Mahendraker
    Abstract In this study, the mass transfer coefficient of biological floc (KLabf) was estimated from the mass transfer coefficient of the mixed-liquor (KLaf) and the reactor-solution (KLae). The biological floc resistance (BFR) and reactor-solution resistance (SR) were defined as the reciprocal of KLabf and KLae, respectively, by applying the concept of serial-resistance originally presented in two-film theory (Lewis and Whitman (1924) Ind Eng Chem 16:1215,1220). The specific biological floc resistance (SBFR) was defined as biological floc resistance per unit biomass concentration. The data indicated that an activated sludge process yielding low BFR/MLR and BFR/SR tended to produce higher oxygen transfer efficiency. Surprisingly, the reactor-solution posed the same level of resistance as clean water in all experiments, except in a 5-day SRT, non-nitrifying, completely mixed activated sludge (CMAS) process run. Furthermore, SBFR successfully represented biological floc and showed a positive correlation to sludge volume index (SVI). In addition, SBFR/SR and oxygen transfer efficiency (OTEf) followed an exponential relationship for the complete data set. The method of separating the mixed-liquor into biological floc and reactor-solution improved the understanding of oxygen transfer under process conditions, without resorting to intrusive techniques or direct handling of fragile biological floc. © 2005 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]


    Simultaneous extraction and concentration of penicillin G by hollow fiber renewal liquid membrane

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009
    Zhongqi Ren
    Abstract In this article, hollow fiber renewal liquid membrane (HFRLM) technique was used for recovery of penicillin G from aqueous solution. The organic solution of 7 vol % di-n-octylamine (DOA) + 30 vol % iso-octanol + kerosene was used as liquid membrane phase, and Na2CO3 aqueous solution was used as stripping phase. Experiments were performed as a function of carrier concentration in the organic phase, organic/aqueous volume ratio, pH, and initial penicillin G concentration in the feed phase, pH in the stripping phase, flow rates, etc. The results showed that the HFRLM process was stable and could carry out simultaneous extraction and concentration of penicillin G from aqueous solutions. As a carrier facilitated transport process, the addition of DOA in organic phase could greatly enhance the mass transfer rate; and there was a favorable organic/aqueous volume ratio of 1:20 to 1:30 for this system. The mass transfer flux and overall mass transfer coefficient increased with decreasing pH in the feed phase and increasing pH in the stripping phase, because of variation of the mass transfer driving force caused by pH gradient and distribution equilibrium. The flow rate of the shell side had significant influence on the mass transfer performance, whereas the effect of flow rate of lumen side on the mass transfer performance was slight because of the mass transfer intensification of renewal effect in the lumen side. The results indicated that the HFRLM process was a promising method for the recovery of penicillin G from aqueous solutions. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source]


    Carbon Monoxide Mass Transfer for Syngas Fermentation in a Stirred Tank Reactor with Dual Impeller Configurations

    BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2007
    Andrew J. Ungerman
    This study compares the power demand and gas-liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, in a stirred tank reactor (STR) (T = 0.211 m) using different impeller designs and schemes in a carbon monoxide-water system, which is applicable to synthesis gas (syngas) fermentation. Eleven different impeller schemes were tested over a range of operating conditions typically associated with the "after large cavity" region (ALC) of a Rushton-type turbine (D/T = 0.35). It is found that the dual Rushton-type impeller scheme exhibits the highest volumetric mass transfer rates for all operating conditions; however, it also displays the lowest mass transfer performance (defined as the volumetric mass transfer coefficient per unit power input) for all conditions due to its high power consumption. Dual impeller schemes with an axial flow impeller as the top impeller show improved mass transfer rates without dramatic increases in power draw. At high gas flow rates, dual impeller schemes with a lower concave impeller have kLa values similar to those of the Rushton-type dual impeller schemes but show improved mass transfer performance. It is believed that the mass transfer performance can be further enhanced for the bottom concave impeller schemes by operating at conditions beyond the ALC region defined for Rushton-type impellers because the concave impeller can handle higher gas flow rates prior to flooding. [source]