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Comparison of mass transfer efficiency in horizontal rotating packed beds and rotating biological contactors
Author(s) -
Mathure Pankaj,
Patwardhan Ashwin
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.1190
Subject(s) - contactor , mass transfer , packed bed , aeration , rotating biological contactor , chemistry , mass transfer coefficient , power consumption , spiral (railway) , volume (thermodynamics) , mechanics , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , chromatography , thermodynamics , environmental science , power (physics) , environmental engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering , wastewater , organic chemistry
In this study, the mass transfer efficiencies of a novel horizontal rotating packed (h‐RPB) bed and the conventional disc‐type rotating biological contactor (RBC) were studied at four speeds and seven submergences. Pall rings of two different sizes (25, 38 mm), superintalox saddles and a wiremesh spiral bundle were used as packings in the h‐RPB. Volumetric gas–liquid mass transfer coefficients were determined by unsteady state absorption of atmospheric oxygen in de‐aerated water. Power consumption per unit liquid volume has been found for all geometries tested. The oxygen transfer efficiency values for the h‐RPB were found to be 2–5 kg kWh −1 and for the disc RBC were found to be 1–2 kg kWh −1 . The performance of the h‐RPB was also compared with other gas–liquid contactors such as surface aerators. The study proves that the h‐RPB is a energy efficient alternative to conventional contactors. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry