Pressure-drop and mass transfer study in multi-stage PSRBC sparger bubble column-An experimental investigation

The comparative study on pressure-drop and mass transfer in multi-stage and single stage pressure swing rotating bubble cap (PSRBC) sparger bubble column have been investigated with air-water system in continuous mode. The compressed air was supplied counter currently with the flow of water at various superficial air velocities from the bottom of the column. The air pressure-drop inside the column has been measured with U-tube manometer. Revolution per minute of the sparger was recorded for the analysis of difference in pressure-drop in case of static and rotating PSRBC sparger column. The difference in dissolved oxygen level of water inlet and outlet of the columns have been measured through dissolve oxygen meter (LJ-831) for mass transfer study at steady state. It has been found the air pressure-drop in multi-stage with PSRBC sparger in rotational mode was 5–30% less and the dissolve oxygen enhancement 8–13% achieved when compared to the single stage (stationary and rotating) and multi stage (stationary) PSRBC. The present investigation may find its application in the designing multi-stage gas-liquid contacting equipment for chemical and bio-chemical industries.