Analysis of Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer of Gas-Liquid and Liquid-Liquid Taylor Flows in Microchannels

Abstract

Analysis of hydrodynamics and mass transfer Taylor flows in micro channels of both gas-liquid and liquid-liquid systems on the basis of classical theoretical approach with some simplifying assumptions was performed. Results of theoretical analysis for description of hydrodynamic parameters and mass transfer characteristics were confirmed by comparison with the author's own and available in literature experimental data. It was shown that the main parameters of two-phase Taylor flows could be quite precisely described theoretically: mean bubble/droplet velocity, liquid film thickness, real gas holdup (which is always smaller than so-called dynamic holdup), pressure drop. Peculiarities of liquid-liquid flows compared to gas-liquid Taylor flows in capillaries are discussed. Wettability effect on hydrodynamics was examined. Tools of mass transfer intensification of gas-liquid and liquid-liquid Taylor flow in micro channels are analyzed. Three-layer model for heat and mass transfer has been proposed and implemented for the case of solid-liquid mass transfer for gas-liquid Taylor flows; optimal process conditions for this process are found theoretically and discussed from physical point of view.