Gas holdup and mixing characteristics of packed bubble columns

Abstract Packed bubble columns offer several advantages over bubble columns. For example, the gas holdup and mass transfer characteristics of packed bubble columns are superior to those of bubble columns, and the axial dispersion coefficient values are much lower. The gas holdup and mixing characteristics of a number of packings are considered in this article. An empirical equation is proposed to estimate the gas holdup values. The effects of the packing size, the column diameter, the liquid viscosity and the ionic strength on the gas holdup are discussed. The axial dispersion coefficient values for packings with nominal sizes of 0.025 m and above are correlated by means of a model based on the bulk liquid circulation in the column.