The Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics in the Analysis of Gas-Liquid-Liquid Reactors

Abstract

Gas–liquid–liquid reactors are typically found in bioprocess setups such as those used in alkane biocatalysis and biological gas stripping. The departure of such reactors from traditional gas–liquid setups is by the introduction of a secondary (dispersed) liquid phase. The introduction of the latter results in complicated hydrodynamics as observed through measurements of velocity fields, turbulence levels and mixing times. Similarly, changes in mass transfer occur as observed through measurements of gas hold up, bubble diameters and the volumetric mass transfer coefficients. The design and analysis of such reactors thus requires the adoption of an approach that can comprehensively account for the various observed changes. This chapter proposes Computational Fluid Dynamics as an approach fit for this purpose. Key considerations, successes and challenges of this approach are highlighted and discussed based on a review of previously published case studies.