A refined model for ozone mass transfer in a bubble column

Abstract

The mathematical model proposed by Marinas et ai. (1993) for a bubble column gas-liquid contactor is refined to described the mass transfer of ozone absorption and decomposition in the aqueous solution with the decomposition rate expression of general reaction orders (not necessarily integers). Three system equations are employed to describe the ozone concentrations in the bulk liquid (C-ALb), the hold-up gas (C-AGb), and the superficial gas rise velocity (u(G)), respectively. The variation of u(G) and the effect of ozone decomposition on the mass transfer, which is reflected by the enhancement factor (E-r) defined as the ratio of chemical to pure physical mass fluxes according to the film model of gas liquid absorption, are considered in the refined model. This analysis thus extends the applicability of the model of Marinas et al. (1993) and is of special importance for the ozone mass transfer in the cases of basic solutions and of low mass transfer coefficients, in which the effect of decomposition on absorption is significant. An example of such case is the cyanide wastewater treatment in the strong basic condition.