Modeling and Analysis of Airlift System Operating in Three-Phase Flow

Based on the momentum theorem, the fluid governing equation in a lifting pipe is proposed by use of the method combining theoretical analysis with empirical correlations related to the previous research, and the performance of an airlift pump can be clearly characterized by the triangular relationship among the volumetric flux of air, water and solid particles, which are obtained respectively by using numerical calculation. The meso-scale river sand is used as tested particles to examine the theoretical model. Results of the model are compared with the data in three-phase flow obtained prior to the development of the present model, by an independent experimental team that used the physical conditions of the present approach. The analytical error can be controlled within 12% for predicting the volumetric flux of water and is smaller than that （±16%） of transporting solid particles in three-phase flow. The experimental results and computations are in good agreement for air-water two-phase flow within a margin of ±8%. Reasonable agreement justifies the use of the present model for engineering design purposes.

Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer in a Modified Three-phase Airlift Loop Reactor

A modified internal-loop airlif reactor （MIALR） with a continuous slurry phase was studied to investigate the local hydrodynamic characteristics, including gas holdup, bubble size, bubble rise velocity and local mass transfer properties. Based on the analysis of geometrical construction and fluid properties of gas and slurry, MIALR was divided into six flow regions. In these flow regions, the local hydrodynamic characteristics were investigated over a wide range of operating variables. Furthermore, a new method was developed to measure the dissolved oxygen concentration. The volumetric mass-transfer coefficient in six flow regions was also calculated for comparison.

Investigation of the hydrodynamics of slug flow in airlift pumps

A slug flow model considering the dispersed bubbles entrained from the tail of Taylor bubble(TB) and recoalesced with the successive TB was proposed. Experiment was conducted to test the validity of this model by using a high-speed camcorder and particle image velocimetry(PIV). It was found that the model was valid for predicting the characteristics of slug flow in airlift pump within average error of 14%. Moreover, large pipe diameter was found to accelerate the rise velocity of TB and decreases void fraction in liquid slug by a small margin.

HYDRODYNAMIC STUDIES ON LOOP REACTORS (Ⅱ) AIRLIFT LOOP REACTORS

Hydrodynamics of airlift loop reactors was studied in detail experimentally andtheoretically.An internal airlift loop reactor was designed and set up for this study.An instru-mentation system based on the electrochemical method was adapted to measure local gas holdup andliquid velocity.A two-dimensional two-fluid model based on the first principles was established andimplemented to model the flow in airlift loop reactors.A corrected turbulent model was incorporatedin the simulation.The shear rate,shear stress and energy dissipation are evaluated from the flowfield.The numerically predicted results and experimental data obtained from this work as well as thesereported in literature are analyzed and compared.

Process Intensification in Pneumatically Agitated Slurry Reactors

Pneumatically agitated slurry reactors,including bubble column reactors and airlift loop reactors(ALRs),are important gas-liquid-solid multiphase reactors.These reactors have been widely applied in many processes,especially in the biological fermentation and energy chemical industry,due to their low shear stress,good mixing,perfect mass-/heat-transfer properties,and relatively low costs.To further improve the performance of slurry reactors(i.e.,mixing and mass/heat transfer)and to satisfy industrial require-ments(e.g.,temperature control,reduction of back-mixing,and product separation),the process intensi-fication of slurry reactors is essential.This article starts by reviewing the latest advancements in the intensification of mixing and mass/heat transfer in these two types of reactors.It then summarizes process-intensification methods for mixing and separation that allow continuous production in these slurry reactors.Process-intensification technology that integrates directional flow in an ALR with simple solid-liquid separation in a hydrocyclone is recommended for its high efficiency and low costs.This arti-cle also systematically addresses vital considerations and challenges,including flow regime discrimina-tion,gas spargers,solid particle effects,and other concerns in slurry reactors.It introduces the progress of numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics(CFD)for the rational design of slurry reactors and discusses difficulties in modeling.Finally,it presents conclusions and perspectives on the design of industrial slurry reactors.

Control strategy of shortcut nitrification

Shortcut nitrification for ammonium-rich wastewater is energy-saving and cost-effective procedure that has become one of the hotspots in the field of biological denitrogenation. An orthogonal experiment was performed to study the combined effects of operational parameters on the performance of internal-loop airlift bioreactor for shortcut nitrification. The optimum operational parameters for the shortcut nitrification were fotmd as temperature 35 ℃, pH 8.0, dissolved oxygen concentration 1.0 mg/L, ammonium concentration 4 mmol/L and HRT 16 h, which have different influence on the performance of shortcut nitrification reactor. The pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration have significant bearing on the process. The results showed that the shortcut nitrification reactor could be successfully started up within 42 d, and the reactor performance is steady with minimum NO2-/NOx- of 85.2%, maximum 93.4% and average value of 91.4% in effluent. Based on the analysis of experimental data, a new control strategy named “priority ＋ combination” for shortcut nitrification was suggested. Through this strategy, the startup and operation of shortcut nitrification for ammonium-rich sludge digester liquids were optimized. The control strategy works well to keep the reactor operation in steady state and in achieving high-efficiency for shortcut nitrification.

Modeling of Continuous Cross-flow Microfiltration Process in an Airlift External-loop Slurry Reactor

New modified combination mathematical models including the pores blocking models and the cake layer models were developed to describe the continuous cross-flow microfiltration in an airlift external loop slurry reactor. The pores blocking models were created based on the standard blocking law and the intermediate blocking law, and then the cake layer models were developed based on the hydrodynamic theory in which the calculation method of porosity of cake layer was newly corrected. The Air-Water-FCC equilibrium catalysts cold model experiment was used to verify the relevant models.Results showed that the calculated values fitted well with experimental data with a relative error of less than 10%.

Inorganic nitrogen removal of toilet wastewater with an airlift external circulation membrane bioreactor

Removal of inorganic nitrogen （inorganic-N） from toilet wastewater, using a pilot-scale airlift external circulation membrane bioreactor （AEC-MBR） was studied. The results showed that the use of AEC-MBR with limited addition of alkaline reagents and volumetric loading rates of inorganic-N of 0.19-0.40 kg inorganic-N/（m^3·d） helped achieve the desired nitrification and denitrification. Furthermore, the effects of pH and dissolved oxygen （DO） on inorganic-N removal were examined. Under the condition of MLSS at 1.56-2.35 g/L, BODs/ammonia nitrogen （NH4＋-N） at 1.0, pH at 7.0-7.5, and DO at 1.0-2.0 mg/L, the removal efficiencies of NH4^＋-N and inorganic-N were 91.5% and 70.0%, respectively, in the AEC-MBR. The cost of addition of alkaline reagent was approximately 0.5-1.5 RMB yuan/m^3, and the energy consumption was approximately 0.72 kWh/m^3 at the flux of 8 L/（m^2-h）.

Mass Transfer, Gas Holdup, and Kinetic Models of Batch and Continuous Fermentation in a Novel Rectangular Dynamic Membrane Airlift Bioreactor

Compared with conventional cylinder airlift bioreactors(CCABs)that produce coarse bubbles,a novel rectangular dynamic membrane airlift bioreactor(RDMAB)developed in our lab produces fine bubbles to enhance the volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient(k_(L)a)and gas holdup,as well as improve the bioprocess in a bioreactor.In this study,we compared mass transfer,gas holdup,and batch and con-tinuous fermentation for RNA production in CCAB and RDMAB.In addition,unstructured kinetic models for microbial growth,substrate utilization,and RNA formation were established.In batch fermentation,biomass,RNA yield,and substrate utilization in the RDMAB were higher than those in the CCAB,which indicates that dynamic membrane aeration produced a high k_(L)a by fine bubbles;a higher k_(L)a is more bene-ficial to aerobic fermentation.The starting time of continuous fermentation in the RDMAB was 20 h ear-lier than that in the CCAB,which greatly improved the biological process.During continuous fermentation,maintaining the same dissolved oxygen level and a constant dilution rate,the biomass accumulation and RNA concentration in the RDMAB were 9.71% and 11.15% higher than those in the CCAB,respectively.Finally,the dilution rate of RDMAB was 16.7% higher than that of CCAB during con-tinuous fermentation while maintaining the same air aeration.In summary,RDMAB is more suitable for continuous fermentation processes.Developing new aeration and structural geometry in airlift bioreac-tors to enhance k_(L)a and gas holdup is becoming increasingly important to improve bioprocesses in a bioreactor.

CFD Simulation of Scale Influence on the Hydrodynamics of an Internal Loop Airlift Reactor

In this work, the overall gas hold-up in the riser and down-comer of three internal airlift reactors with a working volume of 10.5, 32 and 200 l at the range of temperatures 18℃ - 21℃, under atmospheric pressure was simulated using Com-putational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The range of superficial gas velocity was 0.5 - 3 cm/s. The three reactors geometrically were similar to each other. CFD simulation and experimental data showed that the gas hold-up in the riser and down-comer increased by increasing the reactor scale. It was concluded that the simulated data were in good agreement with the experimental ones obtained from the literature.

Growth Enhancement of Dunaliella salina by Microbubble Induced Airlift Loop Bioreactor (ALB)—The Relation between Mass Transfer and Growth Rate

The efficiency of a novel microalgal culture system (an airlift loop bioreactor [ALB] engaged with a fluidic oscillator to produce microbubbles) is compared with both a conventional ALB (producing fine bubbles without the fluidic oscillator) and non-aerated flask culture. The impact of CO2 mass transfer on Dunaliella salina growth is assessed, through varying the gas (5% CO2, 95% N2) dosing flow rate. The results showed that approximately 6 - 8 times higher chlorophyll content was achieved in the aerated ALB cultures than in the non-aerated flasks, and there was a 20% - 40% increase in specific growth rate of D. salina in the novel ALB with microbubbles when compared with the conventional ALB cultures. The increase in chlorophyll content was found to be proportional to the total amount of CO2 mass transfer. For the same dosing time and flow rate, higher CO2 mass transfer rate (microbubble dosing) resulted in a greater growth rate.

Split internal-loop photobioreactor for Scenedesmus sp.microalgae:Culturing and hydrodynamics

In this study,the evaluation of the performance of the split internal loop photobioreactor for culturing a species of green microalgae,Scenedesmus sp.under different operating superficial gas velocity and during a different time of growth(i.e.,starting for the first day until end day of the culturing process)was addressed.The evaluation of the performance of the split internal loop photobioreactor was included assessing the density,pH,temperature,viscosity,surface tension,the optical density,cell population,dry biomass,and chlorophyll of the culture medium of the microalgae culturing.Additionally,the hydrodynamics of a Split Internal-Loop Photobioreactor with microalgae culturing was comprehensively quantified.Radioactive particle tracking(RPT)and gamma-ray computed tomography(CT)techniques were applied for the first time to quantify and address the influence of microalgae culture on the hydrodynamic parameters.The hydrodynamics parameters such as local liquid velocity field,shear stresses,turbulent kinetic energy,and local gas holdup profiles were measured at different superficial gas velocities as well as under different times of algae growth.The obtained results indicate that the flow distribution may significantly affect the performance of the photobioreactor,which may have substantial effects on the cultivation process.The obtained experimental data can serve as benchmark data for the evaluation and validation of computational fluid dynamics(CFD)codes and their closures.This,in turn,allows us to develop efficient reactors and consequently improving the productivity and selectivity of these photobioreactors.

MASS TRANSFER AND HYDRODYNAMICS IN AN AIRLIFT REACTOR WITH VISCOUS NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID

In an internal loop airlift reactor of 55L working volume,the gas-liquid volumetric oxygenmass transfer coefficient k_Lα,gas holdup ε_G and liquid circulation time t_c were measured with the sol-ution of carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC)to simulate the performance of a reactor with highly viscousbroth.Electric conductivity and oxygen probes were used to measure the local gas holdup,liquidcirculation time and oxygen mass transfer coefficient in the individual sections of the reactor(riser,downcomer and the gas-liquid separating section at the top of the reactor)and the total reactor,respectively.The values of k_Lα for the riser,downcomer and separation sections of the reactor were alsoestimated and compared with that for the total reactor.The results show that,both k_Lα and ε_G in-crease but t_c decreases with increasing gas velocity.Correlations and comparisons with works reportedin the literature are also presented.Data show that the methods developed for k_Lα measurements inthe individual section

Removal of Real Textile Dyes by Electrocoagulation/Electroflotation in a Pilot External-Loop Airlift Reactor

This paper studied the efficiency of electrocoagulation/electroflotation in removing colour from real textile wastewater by using aluminum and iron electrodes in an innovative pilot external-loop airlift reactor of 150 L. The reactor was designed to operate in batch and continuous modes. The real effluent contained 90% of disperse dye and 10% of reactive dye. A complete flotation of pollutants with acceptable mixing was achieved in this reactor using only the overall liquid recirculation induced by H2 microbubbles. The treatment of these discharges was easier using electrodes of iron rather than aluminum. The optimal initial pH was 10 for both aluminum and iron electrodes. By using iron electrodes, the maximum decolourisation efficiency and COD reduction efficiency reached respectively 96% and 65% for 90 minutes of treatment. Similarly, by using aluminum electrodes, the maximum decolourisation efficiency reached 90%, COD reduction reached 51% for 120 minutes of treatment. In the case of an initial pH slightly different to 10, the required time to reach 90% ranged from double to triple.

Influences of fluid physical properties,solid particles,and operating conditions on the hydrodynamics in slurry reactors

Slurry reactors are popular in many industrial processes,involved with numerous chemical and biological mixtures,solid particles with different concentrations and properties,and a wide range of operating conditions.These factors can significantly affect the hydrodynamic in the slurry reactors,having remarkable effects on the design,scale-up,and operation of the slurry reactors.This article reviews the influences of fluid physical properties,solid particles,and operating conditions on the hydrodynamics in slurry reactors.Firstly,the influence of fluid properties,including the density and viscosity of the individual liquid and gas phases and the interfacial tension,has been reviewed.Secondly,the solid particle properties(i.e.,concentration,density,size,wettability,and shape)on the hydrodynamics have been discussed in detail,and some vital but often ignored features,especially the influences of particle wettability and shape,as well as the variation of surface tension because of solid concentration alteration,are highlighted in this work.Thirdly,the variations of physical properties of fluids,hydrodynamics,and bubble behavior resulted from the temperature and pressure variations are also summarized,and the indirect influences of pressure on viscosity and surface tension are addressed systematically.Finally,conclusions and perspectives of these notable influences on the design and scale-up of industrial slurry reactors are presented.

Influences of top clearance and liquid throughput on the performances of an external loop airlift slurry reactor integrated mixing and separation

A new developed external loop airlift slurry reactor, which was integrated with gas–liquid–solid three-phase mixing, mass transfer, and liquid–solid separation simultaneously, was deemed to be a promising slurry reactor due to its prominent advantages such as achieving continuous separation of clear liquid from slurry and cyclic utilization of solid particles without any extra energy, energy-saving, and intrinsic safety design. The principal operating parameters, including gas separator volume, handling capacity, and superficial gas velocity, are systematically investigated here to promote the capabilities of mixing, mass transfer, and yield in the pilot external loop airlift slurry reactor. The influences of top clearance and throughput of the clear liquid on flow regime and gas holdup in the riser, liquid circulating velocity, and volumetric mass transfer coefficient with a typical high solid holdup and free of particles are examined experimentally. It was found that increasing the gas separator volume could promote the liquid circulating velocity by about 14.0% at most. Increasing the handling capacity of the clear liquid from 0.9 m3·h-1 to 3.0 m3·h-1 not only could increase the output without any adverse consequences, but also could enhance the liquid circulating velocity as much as 97.3%. Typical operating conditions investigated here can provide some necessary data and guidelines for this new external loop airlift slurry reactor to upgrade its performances.

Experimental and Numerical Study of Gas-Liquid Flow in a Sectionalized External-Loop Airlift Reactor

The external loop airlift reactor(ELALR)is widely used for gasliquid reactions.It’s advantage of good heat and mass transfer rates compared to conventional bubble column reactors.In the case of fermentation application where a medium is highly viscous and coalescing in nature,internal in riser helps in the improvement of the interfacial area as well as in the reduction of liquidphase back mixing.The computational fluid dynamic(CFD)as a tool is used to design and scaleup of sectionalized external loop airlift reactor.The present work deals with computational fluid dynamics(CFD)techniques and experimental measurement of a gas holdup,liquid circulation velocity,liquid axial velocity,Sauter mean bubble diameter over a broad range of superficial gas velocity 0.0024≤UG≤0.0168 m s 1.The correlation has been made for bubble size distribution with specific power consumption for different plate configurations.The effects of an internal on different mass transfer models have been completed to assess their suitability.The predicted local mass transfer coefficient has been found higher in the sectionalized external loop airlift reactor than the conventional ELALR.

Influence of Fresh Water on Microbubble Generation in an Airlift Column Applied to Aquaculture: Extraction Capacity

Bubble flows consist a liquid phase and a gaseous phase dispersed as bubbles. They occur in nature and in many industrial applications, such as oil transportation in pipelines and steam generators for power generation. Due to large difference in density between gas and liquid, the flottability force causes bubbles to rise, which in turn can generate overall motion and agitation in liquid. This use of gravity as a flow driver, which is specific to disperse phase systems, is used in process engineering (bubble columns and gasosiphon) to sparingly promote mixing and exchange between gas and liquid. In many applications, bubbles are used to agitate a liquid in order to promote mixing and transfers. This work is devoted to study of hydrodynamics of a bubble column. Experimentally, we have determined properties fluctuations of velocities inside the aquarium of rising homogeneous bubbles for different bubble sizes and vacuum rates. The interfacial area between gas and liquid phase is a crucial factor for mass transfer in bubble columns. The molecular exchange between a given volume of gas and water can be enhanced by formation of smaller bubbles, leading to a larger gas-liquid interface. This work presents the various physical phenomena that apply to bubbles, as well as associated dimensionless numbers. A state art of Micro-Bubble Generators (MBG) is then presented, presenting systems using various phenomena such as cavitation, electrolysis, or shear.

Experimental Study on the Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer Characteristics of Airlift Loop Reactors (ALR)

The promoting effect of ultrasonic wave on the hydrodynamics and mass transfer characteristics of the airlift loop reactor was studied. The effect of the airlift reactor and ultrasonic wave on the reactor’s gas holdup, liquid circulation velocity, mixing time and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient respectively with and without the presence of ultrasonic wave is empathetically examined and compared. The experiment has proven that the incorporation of ultrasonic wave has no effect on the gas holdup but has the tendency to gradually decrease the liquid circulation velocity and increase the overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient; the effect on the mixing time is relatively complex. At low gas velocity, low powered ultrasonic wave promotes the radial mixing of fluid; with the increase of ultrasonic power, ultrasonic vibration obstructs the radial mixing of fluid. Therefore, there exists an optimal ultrasonic power. Moreover, the effect of ultrasonic wave on the mixing time gradually decreases with the increase of the superficial gas velocity. Correlations were also proposed for the hydrodynamics and mass transfer characteristics of the reactor.

Freshwater Purification by Vacuum Airlift Column Using Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol and Casein

Water purification by foaming in a bubble column is a major challenge for research. It leads to the development of innovative airlift column operated under depression. Sea water clarification by bubble column is well documented, but for freshwater remains insufficiently studied. Extraction of suspended clay particles in freshwater is carried out in an airlift column. The system used is under depression and operates in a closed circuit, thanks to a recirculation tank. Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) and soluble casein are used as surfactants to allow extraction. Clay used is fine and ultra-ventilated and a turbidimeter is used to measure turbidity. This study showed that the combined use of methyl isobutyl carbinol and casein in the airlift column makes it possible to completely clarify water loaded with clay particles. A turbidity of less than 1 NTU is obtained after 30 minutes of extraction.