INFLUENCE OF FLOW PROPERTIES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MONOLITH FROTHREACTOR FOR CATALYTIC WET OXIDATION OF ACETIC-ACID

The aqueous phase oxidation of acetic acid, used as a model compound f or the treatment of CELSS (Controlled Ecological Life Support System) waste, was carried out in the monolith froth reactor (MFR) which utili zes two-phase flow in the monolith channels. A perforated plate was us ed to disperse the gas into the liquid, allowing for precise control o f the distribution parameters. These distribution parameters controlle d the size of the gas bubbles at the entrance to the monolith. In turn , the bubble size at the monolith entrance was the key parameter in de termining the performance of the MFR. Important control parameters inc lude the ease in which the bubbles enter the monolith channels, unifor m coverage of the monolith entrance by gas bubbles, and the resulting gas-liquid flow patterns that are developed within the channels of the monolith. The observed results are described in terms of detailed flo w phenomena that have previously been determined and reported. Based o n the experimental observations and the theoretical analysis of the re sults, we have determined that optimal performance of the MFR occurs w hen a maximum number of channels are operating in bubble-train flow.