Modeling of VOC mass transfer in two-liquid phase stirred tank, biotrickling filter and airlift reactors
Journal article, 2011
A modeling framework based on general mass balances and transfer equations was here developed in order to compare the hexane mass transfer performance of two-liquid phase stirred tank reactor (SIR), airlift (ALR) and biotrickling filter (BTF) using silicone oil as model non-aqueous phase under abiotic conditions. This modeling approach resulted in an isomorphous expression for all configurations consisting of a parameter beta*(s) (characterizing the maximum fraction of VOC transferable from the gas to the aqueous phase) and the gradient established between the gas and the aqueous phase. The models were validated against experimental data (at empty bed residence times, EBRT, of 120, 60 and 40 s) exhibiting an overall goodness of fit of 0.98, 0.98 and 0.70 for the two-liquid phase STR, BTF and ALR, respectively. The two-liquid phase BTF exhibited the maximum value of beta*(s) (0.87-0.58), followed by the STR (0.77-0.49) and the ALR (0.23-0.19). Finally, a sensitivity analysis conducted in the two-liquid phase BTF showed that was more sensitive to changes in recirculating liquid flow rate than in the EBRT, confirming that the liquid flow rate is a key operational variable in BTF systems.
Airlift
removal
coefficients
Stirred tank
volatile organic-compounds
2-phase partitioning bioreactors
Biotrickling filter
bioreactor
technology
transfer
Two-phase partitioning bioreactor
Hexane
Gas treatment
feasibility
biodegradation
oxygen
silicone oil
enhancement
Author
M. Hernandez
G. Quijano
R. Munoz
Sergio Velasco
Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Life Sciences
Chem Eng J. V. P. Machorubio F
Chemical Engineering Journal
1385-8947 (ISSN)
Vol. 172 2-3 961-969Subject Categories
Chemical Sciences
DOI
10.1016/j.cej.2011.07.008