BUBBLE SIZES AND HOLDUP STRUCTURE IN BUBBLE-COLUMNS DETERMINED BY DYNAMIC GAS DISENGAGEMENT

A new model for determining bubble size distributions in bubble column s by the dynamic gas disengagement (DGD) technique is developed. It is based on an idea of non-uniform steady state dirstribution of bubble dispersion. Interpreting the axial nan-uniformity, this model gives ax ial gas holdup distributions. If assuming an axially homogeneous dispe rsion, a radial gas holdup distribution can be obtained, The Sauter me an diameters or specific interfacial areas for several systems are est imated by the technique, The results for an air-water system agree wit h those measured by a five-point conductivity probe technique. The obt ained axial gas holdup distributions agree well with reported measurem ents and the radial gas holdup distributions are also reasonable.