(510b) Hydrodynamics of Pilot Scale Bubble Columns: Effect of Internals

The gas holdup and bubble characteristics are key parameters affecting bubble columns’ performance. An experimental study of the effect of heat exchanging internals on the gas holdup, bubble dynamics and their radial profiles is performed. Accordingly, an air-water system is used in a 45 cm (18”) diameter pilot Plexiglas column. Internals configurations mimicking those typical for the Liquid Phase Methanol synthesis (LPMeOH) and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process and covering 5% and 25%, respectively, of the total Cross Sectional Area (CSA) of the column, are investigated. High superficial gas velocities falling within the churn turbulent flow regime, of interest for most industrial applications, are applied in the experiments. The study's results show an increase in the gas holdup observed for the dense internals structure covering 25% of the CSA. Additionally, a decrease in the bubble chord length and a vigorous recirculation behavior are also obtained as a result of the insertion of the internals.