Bubble size distribution in the sparger region of bubble columns

It is well known that the gas distributor can play an important role on the evolution of the bubble size distribution (BSD) in gas-liquid reactors, strippers and absorbers. Therefore, the main subject of the present work was to study the influence of sparger design and process parameters on the BSD in the sparger region of the considered apparatus. For this purpose, both detailed measurements and prediction of the size of bubbles produced at the sparger were carried out in three different experimental apparatuses. The unique set of BSD curves were obtained by analyzing a large amount of bubbles with a measurement based on image analysis technique. Additionally, Colella's model of BSD evolution in bubble columns was further developed by implementing a detailed physical model for predicting the initial BSD at the sparger where the model input is only based on design/process parameters. A validation of the model was carried out using data from two different columns. The comparison between calculated and experimental BSD shows good agreement. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.