Mass transfer modelling for GS heavy water plants

A model that takes into account the gas-phase and liquid-phase resistance to mass transfer has been developed, where the overall mass transfer coefficient (Ksub(OG)a) is expressed as a function of the equivalent Sauter-mean bubble diameter. This parameter was back calculated from mass transfer measurements made at a pilot plant on single pass sieve trays of 0.311 m diameter. Hydraulic parameters were measured for these trays as well. Mean bubble diameters were then correlated as a function of active area F-factor and dispersion height for various tray geometries, and these correlations are used to predict point efficiencies on production plant trays up to 8.5 m in diameter