Mass transfer in three-phase fluidized beds

The effects of superficial liquid and gas velocity, particle diameter, liquid viscosity, and column diameter on liquid dispersion (E/sub L) and mass transfer (K/sub L/a) in three-phase fluidized beds were investigated using a water--glycerol/oxygen--nitrogen (or oxygen--argon)/glass-bead system. Overall mass transfer coefficients were calculated based on plug flow, dispersed plug flow, and continuously stirred tank models. k/sub L/a was found to increase with gas velocity and particle diameter, but no correlation of K/sub L/a with liquid velocity was observed. At low liquid velocities, K/sub L/a was lower for the more viscous liquid; the reverse was true at high liquid flow rates. E/sub L/ increased rapidly for liquid flow rates at two to three times the minimum fluidization velocity