ON THE LIQUID FLOW REVERSAL IN BUBBLE-COLUMNS

The maximum range of the radial position within which liquid flow reversal can be expected to occur in zero net liquid flow bubble columns is predicted. It is shown that existing models, that employ this position as an input parameter for predicting the liquid velocity profile, are intrinsically valid only when the flow reversal dimensionless radius is confined to the narrow range of 0.644-0.707. It is demonstrated that radial positions outside this range are unacceptable on physical grounds. Guidelines for evaluating the appropriate location of the flow reversal point for typical bubble column operating conditions are proposed. © 1992, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.