Micromixing efficiency in a multiphase reactor with a foam block stirrer

Abstract

A rotating foam reactor (RFR), which comprises a solid foam block stirrer as opposed to the agitator blade in stirred tanks, has recently received a significant amount of research interest due to its high mass transfer rates. For a deeper insight into the RFR the work herein investigated the micromixing efficiency of the RFR in terms of segregation index (Xs) using the iodide-iodate reaction system. The effects of various operating parameters including injection time, rotational speed, acid concentration, volume of liquid, volumetric ratio, and gas flow rate on segregation index were systematically examined. Results showed that the segregation index remained constant when injection time exceeded 100 s. Moreover, the Xs increased with an increase in acid concentration but decreased with an increase in rotational speed, volume of liquid, volumetric ratio, and gas flow rate. Micromixing time was also calculated based on the incorporation model and was established to range from 1.1 × 10−3–4.5 × 10−2 s, which is much shorter than that of conventional reactors. The results herein demonstrate that an RFR exhibits excellent micromixing efficiency and has a significant potential for use in chemical industries.