Mass transfer, gas holdup, and kinetic models of batch and continuous fermentation in a novel tectangular dynamic membrane airlift bioreactor

Abstract In this work, the effect of inlet-gas superficial velocity over the circulation liquid velocity, gas holdup and mass transfer, from an airlift bioreactor with settler were studied by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and contrasted with experimental results. Multiphase mixture model and κ-ε turbulence model were used to describe the two phases gas-liquid flow pattern in airlift bioreactor. The hydrodynamic parameters such as liquid circulation velocity and gas holdup were computed by solving the governing equations of continuity, moment and turbulence transport using the finite volume method. Global mass transfer coefficient was evaluated through the Higbie’s penetration theory and the two-phase fluid dynamic theory. Comparison between our numerical data and experimental data previously reported in the literature was done. Numerical and experimental data were very close, and the differences found were discussed in terms of the limitations of this study.

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Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer in a Concentric Internal Jet-Loop Airlift Bioreactor Equipped with a Deflector

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14144329 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (14) ◽

pp. 4329

Author(s):

Radek Šulc ◽

Jan Dymák

Keyword(s):

Mass Transfer ◽

Transfer Coefficient ◽

Mass Transfer Coefficient ◽

Liquid System ◽

Gas Holdup ◽

Gas Velocity ◽

Liquid Phase Mass Transfer ◽

Homogenization Time ◽

Standard Design ◽

Superficial Gas Velocity

The gas–liquid hydrodynamics and mass transfer were studied in a concentric tube internal jet-loop airlift reactor with a conical bottom. Comparing with a standard design, the gas separator was equipped with an adjustable deflector placed above the riser. The effect of riser superficial gas velocity uSGR on the total gas holdup εGT, homogenization time tH, and overall volumetric liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient kLa was investigated in a laboratory bioreactor, of 300 mm in inner diameter, in a two-phase air–water system and three-phase air–water–PVC–particle system with the volumetric solid fraction of 1% for various deflector clearances. The airlift was operated in the range of riser superficial gas velocity from 0.011 to 0.045 m/s. For the gas–liquid system, when reducing the deflector clearance, the total gas holdup decreased, the homogenization time increased twice compared to the highest deflector clearance tested, and the overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient slightly increased by 10–17%. The presence of a solid phase shortened the homogenization time, especially for lower uSGR and deflector clearance, and reduced the mass transfer coefficient by 15–35%. Compared to the gas–liquid system, the noticeable effect of deflector clearance was found for the kLa coefficient, which was found approx. 20–29% higher for the lowest tested deflector clearance.

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Gas–liquid mass transfer characteristics of aviation fuel scrubbing in an aircraft fuel tank

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94786-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Li Chaoyue ◽

Feng Shiyu ◽

Xu Lei ◽

Peng Xiaotian ◽

Yan Yan

Keyword(s):

Mass Transfer ◽

Dissolved Oxygen ◽

Transfer Coefficient ◽

Mass Transfer Coefficient ◽

Oxygen Concentration ◽

Gas Holdup ◽

Aviation Fuel ◽

Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient ◽

Dissolved Oxygen Concentration ◽

Liquid Mass Transfer

AbstractDissolved oxygen evolving from aviation fuel leads to an increase in the oxygen concentration in an inert aircraft fuel tank ullage that may increase the flammability of the tank. Aviation fuel scrubbing with nitrogen-enriched air (NEA) can largely reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen and counteract the adverse effect of oxygen evolution. The gas–liquid mass transfer characteristics of aviation fuel scrubbing are investigated using the computational fluid dynamics method, which is verified experimentally. The effects of the NEA bubble diameter, NEA superficial velocity and fuel load on oxygen transfer between NEA and aviation fuel are discussed. Findings from this work indicate that the descent rate of the average dissolved oxygen concentration, gas holdup distribution and volumetric mass transfer coefficient increase with increasing NEA superficial velocity but decrease with increasing bubble diameter and fuel load. When the bubble diameter varies from 1 to 4 mm, the maximum change of descent rate of dissolved oxygen concentration is 18.46%, the gas holdup is 8.73%, the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient is 81.45%. When the NEA superficial velocities varies from 0.04 to 0.10 m/s, the maximum change of descent rate of dissolved oxygen concentration is 146.77%, the gas holdup is 77.14%, the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient is 175.38%. When the fuel load varies from 35 to 80%, the maximum change of descent rate of dissolved oxygen concentration is 21.15%, the gas holdup is 49.54%, the oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient is 44.57%. These results provide a better understanding of the gas and liquid mass transfer characteristics of aviation fuel scrubbing in aircraft fuel tanks and can promote the optimal design of fuel scrubbing inerting systems.

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