Oxygen absorption in polymer + surfactant aqueous solutions

• Both solutes causes a reduction in mass transfer coefficient.
• Surfactant and polymer produce synergic effects over mass transfer.
• Polymer causes a decrease in surfactant diffusivity that enhance mass transfer.

The present work analyses oxygen absorption in a bubble column contactor using different complex liquid phases that include the presence of different solutes (surfactant and polymer) allowing the modification of liquid phases physical properties of liquid phases (mainly surface tension and viscosity). The influence of these properties over mass transfer rate and liquid side mass transfer coefficient has been analyzed using each solute and ternary systems. The joint effect caused by both solutes can produce synergic influences that must be studied to understand the global behavior. Also the influence of gas flow-rate upon the liquid side mass transfer coefficient has been analyzed.