Mass transfer coefficients of styrene and oxygen into silicone oil emulsions in a bubble reactor

The absorption of oxygen and styrene in water–silicone oil emulsions was independently studied in laboratory-scale bubble reactors at a constant gas flow rate for the whole range of emulsion compositions (0–10% v/v). The volumetric mass transfer coefficients to the emulsions were experimentally measured using a dynamic absorption method. It was assumed that the gas phase contacts preferentially the water phase. In the case of oxygen absorption, it was found that the addition of silicone oil hinders oxygen mass transfer compared to an air–water system. Decreases in kLaoxygenkLaoxygen of up to 25% were noted. Such decreases in the oxygen mass transfer coefficient, which imply longer aeration times to transfer oxygen, could represent a limiting step in biotechnological processes strongly dependent on oxygen concentration. Nevertheless, as the large affinity of silicone oil for oxygen enables greater amounts of oxygen to be transferred from the gas phase, it appears that the addition of more than 5% silicone oil should be beneficial to increase the oxygen transfer rate. In the case of styrene absorption, it was established that the volumetric mass transfer coefficient based on the emulsion volume is roughly constant with the increase in the emulsion composition. In spite of the relatively high cost of silicone oil, water–silicone oil emulsions remain relevant to treat low-solubility volatile organic compounds, such as styrene, in low-concentration gas streams.