AXIAL LIQUID-MIXING IN A GAS-LIQUID MULTISTAGE AGITATED CONTACTOR (MAC)

Data on interstage liquid mixing are reported for a gas-liquid Multi-s tage Agitated Contactor (MAC). A dynamic method using heat as a tracer was applied for water, n-octane and monoethylene glycol as liquids bo th with and without the presence of a dispersed gas phase (air). In al l cases, the axial mixing of the liquid phase could be accurately desc ribed with a 'Cascade of ideally mixed Tanks in series with interstage Backflow model' (CTB model). The liquid backflow, f(L) (m(3)s(-1)), d ata could be correlated with an average relative deviation of 17.2% by : [GRAPHICS] with epsilon(G) = gas hold-up, f(L)(entr) = backflow due to entrainment, f(L)(ma) = backflow due to stirring, chi = hindrance o f f(L)(ma) by the gas bubbles present and the experimental conditions ranging from: superficial gas velocity (u(G): 0 - 0.09 ms(-1), stirrin g speed (N): 10 - 36.7 rev s(-1), liquid viscosity (eta(L)): 0.00041 - 0.021 Nm(-2)s, surface tension (sigma): 0.02 - 0.073 Nm(-1) and liqui d density (rho(L)): 684 - 1113 kgm(-3).