Experimental Investigations on Solid-Liquid Mass Transfer in GLS Fluidized Beds at low Reynolds Numbers

Solid -Liquid mass transfer coefficient (K) was measured in Gas-Liquid-Solid Fluidized Beds by using the system of dissolution of benzoic acid in water. Benzoic acid pellets of various diameter- height combinations were prepared by pelletizing machine and effect of various parameters (superficial gas velocity, superficial liquid velocity, Reynolds number, particle Reynolds number based on gas and liquid velocity) on mass transfer of benzoic acid pellets in water has been studied. It was observed gas velocity plays an important role on mass transfer coefficient value. The effect of Reynolds number based on superficial gas velocity on rate of mass transfer was investigated with varying liquid velocity, bed height and pellet size. Increase in mass transfer coefficient was observed with increase in gas velocity, liquid velocity, bed height at fixed pellet size. As the pellet size decreases in one run, increase in mass transfer with increasing rate of remaining parameter was observed. Comparative study on effect of Reynolds number and particle Reynolds number along with liquid velocity, gas velocity on mass transfer has been shown that mass transfer coefficient increases with increase in Reynolds no., liquid velocity, gas velocity, bed height and with decrease particle Reynolds number.