Mass transfer enhancement due to surface wave formation at a horizontal gas-liquid interface

Absorption of CO2 at the horizontal gas-liquid interface of flowing shallow water was enhanced by waves induced by a vibrating air column. Wave amplit ude and mass transfer peaked at wave frequencies of 4.5-6 Hz. At the peak f requency, mass transfer increased quadratically with wave amplitude and was independent of liquid flow rate. Peak mass transfer was approximately 45% greater than in the absence of waves. Increasing the viscosity of the liqui d phase reduced mass transfer. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.