Gas-liquid interfacial area and its influence on oxygen transfer coefficients in a simulated hydrocarbon bioprocess in a bubble column reactor

摘要

BACKGROUND The overall volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (K(L)a) is a critical parameter in evaluating the oxygen transfer in any aerobic bioprocess, e.g. a hydrocarbon-based bioprocess. However, K(L)a comprises the oxygen transfer coefficient (K-L) and the gas-liquid interfacial area, which are commonly affected by operating conditions of a bioprocess system. Therefore, this study has experimentally measured K(L)a and interfacial area in a model hydrocarbon-based bioprocess under a range of operating conditions such as alkane (n-C14-20) concentration (H-C), solids (cornflour) loading (S-L) and superficial gas (air) velocity (U-G) in a bubble column reactor (BCR).