SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF INTERFACIAL AREA DISTRIBUTION AND MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS IN BUBBLE COLUMN

In this study, simultaneous measurement of interfacial area distribution and mass transfer coefficients in a bubble column for two-phase dispersed system of air-water is conducted. The time-averaged interfacial area (a) distribution was measured by using ultrasonic computed tomography (UCT), the volumetric liquid mass transfer coefficient (kLa) is measured by dynamic method, and hence, the liquid side mass transfer coefficient (kL) was calculated from the kLa and a. The UCT results show that the higher interfacial area around the center of the column and the lower one near the column wall. The experimental results of interfacial area are in a good agreement with the results obtained by the reported correlation and the results obtained by the physical method. A good agreement is also obtained between the experimental results of liquid side mass transfer coefficient and those by the reported correlation.