Gas absorption in bubble column using a non-Newtonian liquid phase

Gas–liquid mass transfer has been investigated in a bubble column using non-Newtonian media and pure carbon dioxide as absorbent and gas phase, respectively. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient and gas–liquid interfacial area has been measured under different operational conditions for the gas–liquid system analysed in this work. The non-Newtonian media used were in all the cases aqueous solutions of κ-carrageenan; the characterization of this polymer in relation to the medium molecular weight and rheological behaviour has been carried out as a previous step. The influence of rheological properties, polymer concentration and gas flow-rate upon the mass transfer rate has been studied. The results shown in the present work allowed us to understand the carbon dioxide transfer to a non-Newtonian liquid phase, as well as to evaluate the effect caused by the liquid phase characteristics.