Carbon dioxide absorption to rheologically complex liquid phases

Aqueous solutions of hydrocolloid mixtures have been employed as liquid phases in gas–liquid absorption processes employing a bubbling stirred vessel as contactor. The influence of the liquid phase composition upon certain physical properties and, subsequently, upon the mass transfer and gas–liquid interfacial area, have been analysed taking into account the operating conditions in relation to the stirring rate, the gas flow-rate and the non-Newtonian behaviour of the liquid phases employed in the present work. The liquid phase viscosity shows an important role in mass transfer coefficient and in gas–liquid interfacial area and synergetic effects have been analysed to explain mass transfer behaviour.