MODELING REACTIVE ABSORPTION PROCESSES VIA FILM-RENEWAL THEORY - NUMERICAL SCHEMES AND SIMULATION RESULTS

Even though film-renewal theory for gas-liquid mass transfer represent s the most realistic mass transfer model under turbulent conditions, i t is rarely used in practice since this leads to a complex mathematica l description and evaluation of reacting systems. However, in contrast with common opinion numerical, evaluation of this class of models is possible nowadays within reasonable time on normal workstations. There fore, we present a numerical scheme employing this theory which is cap able of calculating mass transfer rates, conversion and remaining gas holdup from system and operating parameters. In contrast with the trad itional calculation of mass transfer rates based on the enhancement fa ctor, there are no simplifying assumptions concerning the hydrodynamic s of operation, and non-linear phase equilibria can be considered as w ell as more complex reaction schemes. Simulations for reversible and i rreversible second order reactions show the parametric sensitivity as well as the influence of different mass transfer models on the predict ed mass transfer rates. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.