(230ax) Visualization Phases Distributions in the Pilot-Scale Bubble Column with Internals Via γ-Ray Computed Tomography (CT) Technique

Abbas J. Sultan¹, Laith S. Sabri¹ and Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan¹

 

¹ Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409-1230. USA

 

Gamma-ray computed tomography (CT) technique have been utilized to assess the influence of the vertical internals and superficial gas velocities on the gas -liquid behavior in the bubble column with internals. The time-averaged cross-sectional gas holdup distributions and their radial profiles for the first time have been investigated in an 18-inch bubble column with and without internals for the air-water system at a wide range of superficial gas velocity up to 45 cm/s. Bundle of seventy-five internals covers 25% of the total cross-sectional area representing the intensity of heat exchange tubes employed in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis have been arranged uniformly by using circular configuration and equipped with the bubble column.

The experimental results will provide, for the first time, benchmark data to validate reactor models and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and consequently will facilitate the design and scale-up of bubble column with internals. The experimental results and findings will be presented at the conference.

Keywords: computed tomography (CT), bubble column, internals, cross-sectional gas holdup distributions.