Mass-transfer-effective bubble coalescence frequency and specific interfacial area in a mechanically agitated gas-liquid contactor

Abstract This paper describes a new technique for concurrently evaluating the mass-transfer-effective bubble coalescence frequency and specific interfacial area of mechanically agitated gas-aqueous electrolyte solution dispersions by the chemical method. The technique is based on a model of mass-transfer-effective bubble interactions which permits computation of a mass transfer driving force correction factor. The latter is shown to be dependent on both the effective bubble coalescence frequency and the fractional depletion of the solute gas. The correction factor is applied to the experimentally-measurable exit gas composition in order to determine the relevant residence-time average driving force. Results are given for the effects of impeller rotational speed or mechanical agitation power, gas superficial velocity and total ionic strength on the mass-transfer-effective bubble coalescence frequency and specific interfacial area.