Gas absorption in horizontal cocurrent bubble flow

Cocurrent flow pipeline reactors would have several advantages for gas-liquid reacting systems. However, design data are lacking, particularly for absorption rates of gas. The present study was purely exploratory, for the purpose of obtaining the first data on liquid-phase controlled absorption of gases in horizontal cocurrent two phase flow. CO2 and helium were used as gases and water, ethanol and ethylene glycol as liquids over a wide range of operating conditions. The data in the bubble and plug flow regions have been correlated by an equation based on qualitative observation and analogy to the case of a single flowing fluid. The resulting expression, reproduces most bubble flow data to ± 15%, and includes the effects of gas and liquid flow rates, pipe diameter, surface tension, liquid viscosity and diffusivity.