The role of single deformed bubble on porous foam tray with submerged orifices on the mass transfer enhancement

doi:10.1007/s11705-023-2363-3

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (12) : 2127-2143 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-023-2363-3

RESEARCH ARTICLE

The role of single deformed bubble on porous foam tray with submerged orifices on the mass transfer enhancement

Peng Yan^1,², Xueli Geng¹, Jian Na¹, Hong Li¹, Xin Gao^1,³(

)

¹. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, National Engineering Research Center of Distillation Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
². College of Petrochemical Technology, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
³. Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China

Download: PDF(6201 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

Foam trays with porous submerged orifices endow bubbles uniformly distributed, which are considered attractive column internals to enhance the gas-liquid mass transfer process. However, its irregular orifice and complex gas-liquid flow make it lack pore-scale investigations concerning the transfer mechanism of dynamic bubbling. In this work, the actual porous structure of the foam tray is obtained based on micro computed tomography technology. The shape, dynamic, and mass transfer of rising bubbles at porous orifices are investigated using the volume of fluid and continue surface force model. The results demonstrate that the liquid encroaching on the gas channels causes the increasing orifices velocity, which makes the trailing bubble easily detach from the midst of the leading bubble and causes pairing coalescence. Additionally, we found that the central breakup regimes significantly improve the gas-liquid interface area and mass transfer efficiency. This discovery exemplifies the mechanism of mass transfer intensification for foam trays and serves to promote its further development.

Keywords bubble formation porous submerged orifices process intensification foam tray

Corresponding Author(s): Xin Gao

Just Accepted Date: 31 August 2023 Online First Date: 11 October 2023 Issue Date: 30 November 2023

Cite this article:

Peng Yan,Xueli Geng,Jian Na, et al. The role of single deformed bubble on porous foam tray with submerged orifices on the mass transfer enhancement[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(12): 2127-2143.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-023-2363-3
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2023/V17/I12/2127

Fig.1 (a) Front view of foam SiC tray; (b) the process of reconstructing foam structure; (c) 3D reconstruction of the real foam structure; (d) the pore size distribution of the SiC foam monolithic tray acquired by X-ray 3D imaging techniques.

Tab.1 Parameters of geometrical structure

Fig.2 Geometry structure (a) computational domain; (b) boi domain; (c) non-boi domain; (d) porous domain.

Fig.3 Force analysis of bubble contour at detachment. (a) Good wettability (contact angle (CA) < 90°); (b) force analysis of gas-liquid interface; (c) poor wettability (CA > 90°).

Tab.2 FLUENT simulation conditions

Tab.3 Detailed information of mesh size

Fig.4 (a) Computational fluid domain of foam tray; (b) SiC foam porous structure; (c) details of mesh generation: coarse mesh (mesh number: 1740578, porous region: minimum mesh size: 0.07 mm, growth rate: 1.2; boi region: maximum mesh size: 0.4 mm, growth rate: 1.2); medium mesh (mesh number: 3998241, porous region: minimum mesh size: 0.05 mm, growth rate: 1.05; boi region: maximum mesh size: 0.2 mm, growth rate: 1.2); fine mesh (mesh number: 4728259, porous region: minimum mesh size: 0.05 mm, growth rate: 1.05; boi region: maximum mesh size: 0.2 mm, growth rate: 1.05); (d) the comparison results of the liquid holdup with different meshes.

Fig.5 (a) Simulation results: model B, U_g = 0.1 m·s^–1, CA = 135°, mean U_g,o = 0.22 m·s^–1, experimental results: U_g,o = 0.53 m·s^–1, d_p = 2 mm; (b) simulation results: model B, U_g = 0.1 m·s^–1, CA = 90°, mean U_g,o = 0.38 m·s^–1, experimental results: U_g,o = 0.53 m·s^–1, d_p = 2 mm; (c) simulation results: model B, U_g = 0.1 m·s^–1, CA = 45°, mean U_g,o = 1.91 m·s^–1, experimental results: U_g,o = 1.86 m·s^–1, d_p = 2 mm; (d) simulation results: model B, U_g = 1.0 m·s^–1, CA = 45°, mean U_g,o = 3.05 m·s^–1, experimental results: U_g,o = 4.77 m·s^–1, d_p = 2 mm.

Fig.6 The bubbling behavior at the porous orifice with model B, CA = 45°,U_g = 0.1 m·s^–1; (a) schematic view of the main periods and stages of bubble formation at porous orifice; (b) the evolution of bubble volume with flow time; (c) the evolution of bubble surface area with flow time; (d) the evolution of U_g,o with flow time; (e) the Z velocity distribution in the Z-axis under different flow time.

Fig.7 Comparison of present simulation results with experimental data by Lee et al. [16], Krevelen and Hoftijzer [35] and model prediction by Zhang and Shoji [17].

Fig.8 (a) Schematic view of the main periods and stages of the bubble central breakup. The upper area of the figure is modifed from Mirsandi et al. [13] under Creative Commons. (b) Schematic view of the main periods and stages of the bubble peripheral breakup. The upper area of the figure is modifed from Tripathi et al. [19] under Creative Commons. (c) Different regimes of bubble shape and behavior: regime I: the axisymmetric regime; regime II: the asymmetric regime represents non-oscillatory region; regime III: the asymmetric regime represents oscillatory region; regime IV: the peripheral breakup region; regime V: the central breakup region. (d) Different regimes of bubble shape and behavior on porous submerged orifice.

Tab.4 Physical properties of liquid phase

Fig.9 The evolution of A_b/A_b,0 in different bubble regimes: (a) liquid 1, d_b,0 = 4 mm, regime I; (b) liquid 3, d_b,0 = 4 mm, regime II; (c) liquid 1, d_b,0 = 10 mm, regime III; (d) liquid 3, d_b,0 = 10 mm, regime IV; (e) d_b,0 = 20 mm, regime V; (f) liquid 2, regime V.

Fig.10 (a) The evolution of equivalent diameter with time in different regimes; (b) the evolution of k_l with time in different regimes; (c) the evolution of Sh with time in different regimes; (d) the CO₂ molar concentration at t = 0.5 s in different regimes.

1	R Zhang, H Chen, Y Mu, S Chansai, X Ou, C Hardacre, Y Jiao, X Fan. Structured Ni@NaA zeolite supported on silicon carbide foam catalysts for catalytic carbon dioxide methanation. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2020, 66(11): e17007 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.17007
2	X Ou, S Xu, J M Warnett, S M Holmes, A Zaheer, A A Garforth, M A Williams, Y Jiao, X Fan. Creating hierarchies promptly: microwave-accelerated synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolites on macrocellular silicon carbide (SiC) foams. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 312: 1–9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.11.116
3	X Ou, F Pilitsis, Y Jiao, Y Zhang, S Xu, M Jennings, Y Yang, S Taylor, A Garforth, H Zhang, C Hardacre, Y Yan, X Fan. Hierarchical Fe-ZSM-5/SiC foam catalyst as the foam bed catalytic reactor (FBCR) for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO). Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 362: 53–62 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.01.019
4	H Chen, Y Shao, Y Mu, H Xiang, R Zhang, Y Chang, C Hardacre, C Wattanakit, Y Jiao, X Fan. Structured silicalite-1 encapsulated Ni catalyst supported on SiC foam for dry reforming of methane. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2020, 67(4): e17126 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.17126
5	X Li, Q Shi, H Li, Y Yao, A N Pavlenko, X Gao. Experimental characterization of novel SiC foam corrugated structured packing with varied pore size and corrugation angle. Journal of Engineering Thermophysics, 2017, 26(4): 452–465 https://doi.org/10.1134/S1810232817040026
6	L Zhang, X Liu, X Li, X Gao, H Sui, J Zhang, Z Yang, C Tian, H Li. A novel SiC foam valve tray for distillation columns. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2013, 21(8): 821–826 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1004-9541(13)60552-2
7	L Zhang, X Liu, H Li, H Sui, X Li, J Zhang, Z Yang, C Tian, G Gao. Hydrodynamic and mass transfer performances of a new SiC foam column tray. Chemical Engineering & Technology, 2012, 35(12): 2075–2083 https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201200032
8	P Yan, X Li, H Li, X Gao. Hydrodynamics and flow mechanism of foam column trays: contact angle effect. Chemical Engineering Science, 2018, 176: 220–232 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2017.10.023
9	H Li, L Fu, X Li, X Gao. Mechanism and analytical models for the gas distribution on the SiC foam monolithic tray. AIChE Journal. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2015, 61(12): 4509–4516 https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.14944
10	A V Byakova, S V Gnyloskurenko, T Nakamura, O I Raychenko. Influence of wetting conditions on bubble formation at orifice in an inviscid liquid. Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2003, 229(1-3): 19–32 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2003.08.009
11	S V Gnyloskurenko, A V Byakova, O I Raychenko, T Nakamura. Influence of wetting conditions on bubble formation at orifice in an inviscid liquid. Transformation of bubble shape and size. Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2003, 218(1-3): 73–87 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0927-7757(02)00592-7
12	K J Hecht, S Velagala, D A Easo, M A Saleem, U Krause. Influence of wettability on bubble formation from submerged orifices. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2020, 59(9): 4071–4078 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.9b04222
13	H Mirsandi, M W Baltussen, E A J F Peters, D E A van Odyck, J van Oord, D van der Plas, J Kuipers. Numerical simulations of bubble formation in liquid metal. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2020, 131: 103363 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2020.103363
14	H Mirsandi, W J Smit, G Kong, M W Baltussen, E A J F Peters, J A M Kuipers. Bubble formation from an orifice in liquid cross-flow. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2020, 386: 120902 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.01.181
15	M T Islam, P B Ganesan, J N Sahu, S C Sandaran. Effect of orifice size and bond number on bubble formation characteristics: a CFD study. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2015, 93(10): 1869–1879 https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.22282
16	S J Y Lee, H An, P C Wang, J G Hang, S C M Yu. Effects of liquid viscosity on bubble formation characteristics in a typical membrane bioreactor. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 2021, 120: 105000 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2020.105000
17	L Zhang, M Shoji. Aperiodic bubble formation from a submerged orifice. Chemical Engineering Science, 2001, 56(18): 5371–5381 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(01)00241-X
18	J R Grace, T Wairegi, T H Nguyen. Shapes and velocities of single drops and bubbles moving freely through immiscible liquids. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 1976, 54: 167–173
19	M K Tripathi, K C Sahu, R Govindarajan. Dynamics of an initially spherical bubble rising in quiescent liquid. Nature Communications, 2015, 6(1): 6268 https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7268
20	J G Fourie, J P Du Plessis. Pressure drop modelling in cellular metallic foams. Chemical Engineering Science, 2002, 57(14): 2781–2789 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(02)00166-5
21	P Habisreuther, N Djordjevic, N Zarzalis. Statistical distribution of residence time and tortuosity of flow through open-cell foams. Chemical Engineering Science, 2009, 64(23): 4943–4954 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2009.07.033
22	P Kumar, F Topin. Investigation of fluid flow properties in open cell foams: darcy and weak inertia regimes. Chemical Engineering Science, 2014, 116: 793–805 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2014.06.009
23	X Li, G Gao, L Zhang, H Sui, H Li, X Gao, Z Yang, C Tian, J Zhang. Multiscale simulation and experimental study of novel SiC structured packings. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2012, 51(2): 915–924 https://doi.org/10.1021/ie200796p
24	S RambabuSriram K KartikS ChamarthyP Parthasarathykishore V. Ratna kishore V Ratna. A proposal for a correlation to calculate pressure drop in reticulated porous media with the help of numerical investigation of pressure drop in ideal & randomized reticulated structures. Chemical Engineering Science, 2021, 237: 116518
25	M Bracconi, M Ambrosetti, M Maestri, G Groppi, E Tronconi. A systematic procedure for the virtual reconstruction of open-cell foams. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017, 315: 608–620 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.01.069
26	G D Wehinger, H Heitmann, M Kraume. An artificial structure modeler for 3D CFD simulations of catalytic foams. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2016, 284: 543–556 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.09.014
27	T P De Carvalho, H P Morvan, D Hargreaves, H Oun, A Kennedy. Experimental and tomography-based CFD investigations of the flow in open cell metal foams with application to aero engine separators. Turbo Expo: Power for Lan, Sea, and Air. Montréal, Canada: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), 2015, 56734: V05CT15A028 https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2015-43509
28	M Bracconi, M Ambrosetti, O Okafor, V Sans, X Zhang, X Ou, C Pereira Da Fonte, X Fan, M Maestri, G Groppi. et al.. Investigation of pressure drop in 3D replicated open-cell foams: coupling CFD with experimental data on additively manufactured foams. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 377: 120123 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.10.060
29	J U Brackbill, D B Kothe, C Zemach. A continuum method for modeling surface tension. Journal of Computational Physics, 1992, 100(2): 335–354 https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9991(92)90240-Y
30	F Özkan, A Wenka, E Hansjosten, P Pfeifer, B Kraushaar-Czarnetzki. Numerical investigation of interfacial mass transfer in two phase flows using the VOF method. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 2016, 10(1): 100–110 https://doi.org/10.1080/19942060.2015.1061555
31	R Sander. Compilation of Henry’s law constants (version 4.0) for water as solvent. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2015, 15(8): 4399–4981 https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-4399-2015
32	W G Whitman. The two-film theory of gas absorption. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 1962, 5(5): 429–433 https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(62)90032-7
33	C E Jr Anderson. Analytical models for penetration mechanics: a review. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 2017, 108: 3–26 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2017.03.018
34	P V Danckwerts. Significance of liquid-film coefficients in gas absorption. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 1951, 43(6): 1460–1467 https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50498a055
35	D Krevelen, P J Hoftijzer. Studies of gas bubble formation. Chemical Engineering Progress, 1950, 46(1): 29–35
36	W M Haynes, D R Lide, T J Bruno. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 97th ed. Boca Raton: CRC press, 2016, 6: 261–262

[1]	Chang Shu, Xingang Li, Hong Li, Xin Gao. Design and optimization of reactive distillation: a review[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(6): 799-818.
[2]	Xin Gao, Dandan Shu, Xingang Li, Hong Li. Improved film evaporator for mechanistic understanding of microwave-induced separation process[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(4): 759-771.
[3]	Parimal Pal, Ramesh Kumar, Subhamay Banerjee. Purification and concentration of gluconic acid from an integrated fermentation and membrane process using response surface optimized conditions[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(1): 152-163.
[4]	Changwei HU, Yu YANG, Jia LUO, Pan PAN, Dongmei TONG, Guiying LI. Recent advances in the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass[J]. Front Chem Sci Eng, 2011, 5(2): 188-193.
[5]	Salah ALJBOUR, Tomohiko TAGAWA, Mohammad MATOUQ, Hiroshi YAMADA. Multiphase surfactant-assisted reaction-separation system in a microchannel reactor[J]. Front Chem Eng Chin, 2009, 3(1): 33-38.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed