Calculation of the Mass Transfer Coefficient for the Dissolution of Multiple Carbon Dioxide Bubbles in Sea Water under Varying Conditions

Abstract

Underwater weapon systems with reforming fuel cells have been developed to increase the number of possible days that the former can be submerged. Reforming hydrocarbons generate a large quantity of carbon dioxide gas that must be completely dissolved in water and released. In this study, the mass transfer coefficient was derived experimentally while changing the process variables that affect mass transfer, such as bubble size, presence/absence of an inline mixer, retention time, pressure, and solvent type. It was found that retention time was most affected, followed by type of solvent, presence/absence of the inline mixer, and bubble size. In addition, by reducing bubble size and retention time and applying an inline mixer, the effect can be like that dissolved at high pressure even at low pressure. Applications of this study are expected to reduce the size of underwater weapon systems. Therefore, further studies on increasing the power consumption of underwater weapon systems due to reduction of bubble size and the application of inline mixers should be conducted.