CFD Simulation of Taylor Bubble Mass Transfer in Monolith Reactors

In this work the effect of capillary number variation on dynamic mass transfer from Taylor bubble in monolith reactors has been investigated by CFD techniques. The Volume Of Fluid (VOF) based interface tracking method in conjunction with a mass transfer model was used. The values of mass transfer coefficient (kLa) has been calculated for different capillary numbers. CFD simulation shows that by increasing the capillary number the recirculating vortex and liquid velocity near the bubble caps becomes smaller. At higher capillary number also the longer bubble and the thicker liquid film appear around the bubble. The results show that by increasing the capillary number the different mass transfer mechanisms has been taken place for Taylor bubble flow through the monolith reactor.