Abstract
A novel system for contacting gases and liquids, suitable for many applications involving gas–liquid contact such as CO2 capture and brine desalination, has been simulated and experimentally validated. The system comprises a vertical vessel with gas and liquid ports and inert particles that enhance mixing and provide a high gas–liquid interfacial area. A low gas flow rate was statistically demonstrated and experimentally verified to be the optimum condition for CO2 capture and brine desalination; however, the gas velocity can have a considerable effect on the motion of inert particles inside the reactor. Uniform particles motion ensures good mixing within the reactor and hence efficient absorption and stripping process. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, namely Eulerian model, presented in this paper, will help demonstrate the effect of mixing particles at specific conditions on the gas and liquid velocities inside the reactor, gas and liquid volume distribution through reactor, and eddy viscosities stresses of the mixing particles. A mesh-independent study was conducted to demonstrate the independency of mesh structure and size on the output responses. A quasi-steady state was attained to ensure the stability and feasibility of the selected model. The assembled model exhibits remarkable applicability in determining the optimum mixing particles densities, volume ratios, and sizes to ensure best velocity distribution and gas spreading inside the reactor and accordingly enhance the associated chemical reactions.
Funding source: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company 10.13039/501100002672
Award Identifier / Grant number: 21N224
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by ADNOC Refining Research Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The authors would also like to thank Eng. Abeer Fuad from Architectural Engineering Department and Eng. Amin Safi and Eng. Zahid Qureshi from Mechanical Engineering Department at the UAE University for their help.
Author contribution: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Refining Research Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE (Grant no. 21N224). https://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002672.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
References
Anderson, T. B., and R. Jackson. 1967. “Fluid Mechanical Description of Fluidized Beds. Equations of Motion.” Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Fundamentals 6: 527–39, https://doi.org/10.1021/i160024a007.Search in Google Scholar
Buwa, V. V., and V. Ranade. 2002. “Dynamics of Gas Liquid Flow in a Rectangular Bubble Column: Experiments and Single /Multi-Group CFD Simulations.” Chemical Engineering Science 57: 4715–6, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(02)00274-9.Search in Google Scholar
Charpentier, J.C. 1981. “Mass-Transfer Rates in Gas-Liquid Absorbers and Reactors”, In Advances in Chemical Engineering. edited by G. R. C. J. W. H. A. T. V. Thomas, and B. Drew, 1–133. Massachusetts: Academic Press.10.1016/S0065-2377(08)60025-3Search in Google Scholar
Dhotre, M. T., and K. Ekambara. 2004. “CFD Simulation of Sparger Design and Height to Diameter Ratio on Gas Holdup Profiles in Bubble Column Reactors.” Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 28: 407–42, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2003.06.001.Search in Google Scholar
Dhotre, M. T., K. Ekambara, and J. B. Joshi. 2004. “CFD Simulation of Sparger Design and Height to Diameter Ratio on Gas Hold-Up Profiles in Bubble Column Reactors.” Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 28: 407–21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2003.06.001.Search in Google Scholar
El-Naas, M. H. 2017. “System for Contacting Gases and Liquids.” US Patent 9,724,639 B2.Search in Google Scholar
El-Naas, M. H., A. F. Mohammad, M. I. Suleiman, M. Al Musharfy, and A. H. Al-Marzouqi. 2017. “Evaluation of a Novel Gas-Liquid Contactor/Reactor System for Natural Gas Applications.” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 39: 133–42 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2017.01.031.Search in Google Scholar
Gemello, L., V. cappello, F. Augier, D. Marchisio, and C. Plais. 2018. “CFD-Based Scale-Up of Hydrodynamics and Mixing in Bubble Columns.” Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 136: 846–58, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2018.06.026.Search in Google Scholar
Ibrahim, M. H., M. H. El-Naas, R. Zevenhoven, and S . A. Al-Sobhi. 2019. “Enhanced CO2 Capture Through Reaction With Steel-Making Dust in High Salinity Water.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 91: 102819, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2019.102819.Search in Google Scholar
Kartushinsky, A., S. Tisler, J. L. G. Oliveria, and C. W. M. van der Geld. 2016. “Eulerian-Eulerian Modelling of Particle-Laden Two-Phase Flow.” Powder Technology 301: 999–1007, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.07.053.Search in Google Scholar
Lemoine, R., A. Behkish, L. Sehabiague, Y. J. Heintz, R. Oukaci, and B. Morsi. 2008. “An Algorithm for Predicting the Hydrodynamic and Mass Transfer Parameters in Bubble Column and Slurry Bubble Column Reactors.” Fuel Processing Technology, 89: 322–43, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2007.11.016.Search in Google Scholar
Li, G., X. Yang, and G. Dai. 2009, “CFD Simulation of Effects of the Configuration of Gas Distributors on Gas–Liquid Flow and Mixing in a Bubble Column.” Chemical Engineering Science 64: 5104–16, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2009.08.016.Search in Google Scholar
Li, Z., X. Guan, L. Wang, Y. Cheng, and X. Li. 2016. “Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Scale-Up Effects on the Hydrodynamics of Slurry Bubble Columns.” Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering 24: 967–71, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjche.2016.05.009.Search in Google Scholar
McClure, D. D., N. Aboudha, J. M. Kavanagh, D. F. Fletcher, and G. W. Barton. 2015. “Mixing in Bubble Column Reactors: Experimental Study and CFD Modeling.” Chemical Engineering Journal 264: 291–301, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2014.11.090.Search in Google Scholar
Patankar, S. V. 1980. Numerical Heat Transfer and Two-Phase Yow. Washington, DC: Hemisphere.Search in Google Scholar
Pfleger, D., and S. Becker. 2001. “Modelling and Simulation of the Dynamic Flow Behavior in a Bubble Column.” Chemical Engineering Science 56: 1737–47, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(00)00403-6.Search in Google Scholar
Pfleger, D., and S. Gomes. 1999. “Hydrodynamic Simulations of Laboratory Scale Bubble Columns Fundamental Studies of the Eulerian-Eulerian Modeling Approach.” Chemical Engineering Science 54: 5091–9, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00261-4.Search in Google Scholar
Pfleger, D., S. Gomes, N. Gilbert, and H.G. Wagner. 1999. “Hydrodynamic Simulations of Laboratory Scale Bubble Columns Fundamental Studies of the Eulerian–Eulerian Modelling Approach.” Chemical Engineering Science 54: 5091–9 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00261-4.Search in Google Scholar
Pourtousi, M., J. N. Sahu, and P. Ganesan. 2014. “Effect of Interfacial Forces and Turbulence Models on Predicting Flow Pattern Inside the Bubble Column.” Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification 75: 38–47, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2013.11.001.Search in Google Scholar
Sanyal, J., S. Vásquez, S. Roy, and M. P. Dudukovic. 1999. “Numerical Simulation of Gas–Liquid Dynamics in Cylindrical Bubble Column Reactors.” Chemical Engineering Science 54: 5071–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(99)00235-3.Search in Google Scholar
Zhang, D. 2007. Eulerian Modeling of Reactive Gas-Liquid Flow in a Bubble Column. Enschede: University of Twente.Search in Google Scholar
Zhang, Z., C. Yang, Y. Zhang, H. Zhu. 2018. “Dynamic Modeling Method for Infrared Smoke Based on Enhanced Discrete Phase Model.” Infrared Physics & Technology 89: 315–24, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infrared.2018.01.006.Search in Google Scholar
© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
