SOLID-LIQUID MASS TRANSFER IN THREE PHASE FLUIDIZED BEDS: SOME SCALE-UP EFFECTS

Abstract
Solid-liquid mass transfer in three phase fluidized beds is reported for column diameter up to 0.3 m. The range of superficial gas and liquid velocities studied were 0.03-0.2 m/s and 0.026-0.07 m/s, respectively for a 0.015 m diameter column and 0.015-0.11 m/s and 0.01-0.05 m/s, for a 0.3 m diameter column. The mass transfer coefficient increased with increase in gas flow rate and was independent of liquid flow rate over the range studied. The mass transfer coefficient seemed to depend on particle size; the dependance was unaffected by reactor scale-up. Ksl increased with column diameter according to relation KSL ∞ D0.26.