EFFECT OF HONEYCOMB INSERTS ON AXIAL MIXING IN BUBBLE-COLUMNS

The axial mixing characteristics of a pilot-scale column were investig ated with the objective of identifying means to mitigate the extent of axial mixing that adversely affects its performance. The effect of us ing honeycomb inserts on column hydrodynamics was thus investigated un der a wide range of operating conditions. The experimental results, ob tained using the dynamic response method, were analysed using three ax ial mixing models. The use of honeycomb inserts was found to increase the interfacial area of contact by up to 120% but the axial dispersion coefficient is adversely impacted. The higher axial dispersion coeffi cient obtained at higher superficial liquid velocities should, however , be balanced against the benefits resulting from the larger interfaci al areas and the ability to use columns or smaller diameters.