Hydrodynamic study of pressure swing rotating bubble cap column with gas-liquid systems

ABSTRACT The present investigation on a hydrodynamic study focused on the RPM and pressure drop in a pressure swing rotating bubble cap (PSRBC) sparger column. PSRBC is one of its kind, which has the capability of producing bubbles and effective mixing in the sparged column. In this experimental work, a plastic PSRBC sparger of cylindrical shape has been designed and used for the supply of compressed gas (air) through the stationary liquid (water-glycerine solution) pool. The system variables viz. superficial air velocity, stationary liquid height, column diameter, the viscosity of liquid and sparger outlet opening area are considered for this study. Model equations have been developed for predicting RPM for the PSRBC sparger and pressure drop of the column in dimensionless form. The calculated values from predicted models have been compared with the experimental values and the coefficients of correlations are found to be more than 0.97. The present hydrodynamic study relates to RPM and pressure drop and may be useful for the design of gas–liquid systems viz. bubble columns, deaerators, bio-reactors (without stirrer) etc. where the interfacial area of gas–liquid has a distinct role in the performance. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT