Mass transfer to droplets formed by the controlled breakup of a cylindrical jet – physical absorption

The derivation of Srinivasan and Aiken (1988) for the mass transfer coefficient of carbon dioxide absorption into water droplets formed by controlled breakup of capillary jet was based on turbulent flow equations. This derivation was re-examined, taking into account the fact that the data used were in fact in the laminar flow regime. An alternative derivation and correlation is presented.

► The derivation of Srinivasan and Aiken (1988) is re-examined.
► Turbulent flow equations were unjustly used to describe laminar flow phenomena.
► A new correlation was derived using laminar flow equations instead.
► Good agreement between the new correlation and the available data is obtained.