GAS-LIQUID MASS-TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS OF A CENTRIFUGAL REACTOR

The centrifugal film reactor is an original gas-liquid contactor which presents good gas-liquid mass transfer characteristics. The aim of th is study is the determination of the gas and liquid side mass transfer coefficients k(G)A and k(L)A as well as that of the gas-liquid interf acial area A in such a reactor. The following techniques were used: k( G)A is determined by using the absorption of dilute SO2 in a sodium hy droxide solution. k(L)A is determined by 4 different techniques: the p hysical absorption of SO2 in a sulphuric acid solution, the oxidation of sulphite ions (Danckwerts plot technique), the absorption of CO2 in a carbonate/bicarbonate buffer, the absorption of oxygen in a hydrazi ne solution. A is determined by the oxidation of sulphite ions (Danckw erts plot technique).The investigated parameters k(G)A, k(L)A and A de pend mainly on the rotational speed N and on the back pressure Delta P which can be combined in an Euler number, and on the coalescence prop erties of the liquid. The following orders of magnitude are obtained: k(L) : 5-40 x 10(-4) m s(-1) k(G) : 2.5-25 x 10(-3) m s(-1) a : 30-200 m(-1) (reference volume: the reactor).