Simulation and experimental validation of reactive bubble column reactors

•Laser based measurement technique to determine local hydrodynamics.•Local data of concentration fields in bubble columns.•Reactive CFD simulation using Euler-Euler CFD code.•Validation against own local experimental data at several column heights.

Bubble columns are widespread in chemical process engineering. The overall performance of these reactors relies on the interaction between the hydrodynamics, interfacial mass transfer and chemical reactions. The layout of these columns is commonly based on simplified integral models that are not able to track the complex interactions between the local hydrodynamics and the reactions. Hence, a detailed knowledge about the ongoing interactions is required. The local and temporal evolution of the carbon dioxide (CO2) chemisorption in aqueous NaOH solution in a cylindrical bubble column is investigated. Therefore, local measurements of hydrodynamics, bubble size and velocity, liquid velocity and concentration (pH-value) are done using a high speed PIV/LIF system combined with shadowgraphy. The results are compared to Euler-Euler based computational fluid dynamics simulations that take into account the ongoing reaction.