Mass Transfer Study and CFD Simulation in Stirred Tank Reactor with Dual Rushton Turbine Implementing Population Balance Model

The performance of the reactor depends on the uniform dispersion and intimate contact between gas and liquid phases. When high conversions of reactants are needed, several tanks in series are used. This investigation determines the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KLa), bubble size (dB), and specific power consumption in a non-standard container equipped with dual Rushton turbine impellers. The effects of the speed (N) and superficial gas velocity (UG) on gas hold-up (єg), volumetric mass transfer coefficient, and upper impeller position are investigated. The position of the bottom Rushton turbine impeller was fixed, while the location of the top impeller was varied two times relative to the bottom impeller. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KLa) and the Sauter mean bubble diameter (dB) were plotted against the impeller speed (N) for different superficial gas velocities (UG). This investigation shows that the position of the top impeller increases the volumetric mass transfer coefficient with significant bubble size reduction. In this research, the gas hold-up is also determined. The gas hold-up and volumetric mass transfer from experimental and prediction methods were agreed upon.