Intensification of multiphase reactions through the use of a microphase—I. theoretical

Abstract A comprehensive theory of mass transfer with chemical reaction in the presence of a microphase has been developed using Higbie's penetration theory as well as the surface renewal theory due to Danckwerts. The conditions under which the various special cases hold are derived especially with regard to steady state approximations where the simpler film model for mass transfer may be used. Analytical solutions have been given wherever possible. The general applicability as well as the flexibility of the theory is demonstrated by analysing a variety of physical situations like the case of reversible reaction of the diffusing solute with the microphase and that of instantaneous reaction between the solute and a dissolved liquid (continuous) phase reactant. The effect of the rate constants in either phase, the mass transfer coefficient, microphase constituent size and its Brownian diffusivity, as well as the distribution coefficient of the diffusing solute between the continuous and the microphases, on the specific reaction rate are investigated. A comparison with some of the earlier models in the literature has been given.