EFFECT OF SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENTS ON THE RATE OF LIQUID-SOLID MASS-TRANSFER AT GAS SPARGED REACTOR

The effect of surface active agents on the rate of liquid-solid mass transfer at a gas sparged single sphere was studied by measuring the rate of diffusion controlled dissolution of copper spheres in acidified chromate solution. Variables studied were N2 flow rate, type of surfactant, surfactant concentration and physical properties of the solution. The solid-liquid mass transfer coefficient was found to increase with increasing N2 flow rate. Increasing surfactant concentration was found to decrease the mass transfer coefficient. Also, increasing surfactant concentration was found to decrease the liquid surface tension.