Controlling microbubbles in alcohol solutions by using a multi‐channel ceramic membrane distributor. Issue 8 (22nd March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Yefei; Han, Yang; Li, Xiaoli; Jiang, Hong; Chen, Rizhi
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical technology & biotechnology. Volume 93:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 2456
• Page End: 2463
• Publication Date: 2018-03-22
• Subjects: microbubbles -- alcohol addition -- ceramic membrane -- hydrodynamics -- mass transfer; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Technical -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Industries -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5602
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-2575

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Microbubbles are gaining more attention in environmental, medical, agricultural and industrial processes. Alcohol addition plays an important role in controlling microbubble generation. The effect of n ‐butanol concentration on microbubble characteristics has not been studied, thus experiments have been done to investigate the control of microbubbles in alcohol solutions. RESULTS: Microbubbles were successfully generated using a 19‐channel ceramic membrane. The bubble Sauter diameter was found to decrease with increasing n ‐butanol concentration. Increasing cross flow velocity and decreasing superficial gas velocity resulted in smaller bubbles. Gas holdup and specific interfacial area was found to increase with increasing n ‐butanol concentration. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient K l a was found to increase with increasing n ‐butanol concentration, following the trend in specific interfacial area. Increasing cross‐flow velocity and superficial gas velocity resulted in increased K l a . CONCLUSIONS: Bubble characteristics in solutions with different n ‐butanol concentrations are very different. Alcohol addition is an important way to generate smaller bubbles and larger gas holdup. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry