Oxygen transfer in bubble columns at industrially relevant superficial velocities: Experimental work and CFD modelling

In this study, the oxygen transfer rate (OTR), bubble size distribution, interfacial area per unit volume and liquid film mass transfer coefficient have all been measured in a 0.39 m diameter pilot-scale bubble column operated at industrially relevant superficial velocities between 0.14 and 0.28 m s−1 for which few data exist in the literature. The measured OTR ranged from 6.5 to 8.8 kg m−3 h−1, with values generally increasing with superficial velocity. The mean bubble size in the column was 3-5 mm, giving an interfacial area per unit volume for mass transfer of some 380-570 m2 m−3. Experimental data were used to validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based model of the bubble column; it was found that this model could predict the experimentally measured OTR within 20% across the range of superficial velocities examined.