Gas–liquid mass transfer in a 15 cm diameter reciprocating plate column

Abstract Data are reported on the absorption of oxygen by water under countercurrent flow conditions, in a 15 cm diameter reciprocating plate bubble column. Amplitude (half stroke) is set at 12.7 mm and reciprocation frequencies up to 5 Hz have been employed. Five different types of plate have been compared; two of the types are multiperforated and three of the types are ‘donut’ plates with a single central hole. When the comparison is made in terms of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient ( k l a ) and power input per unit mass, the best of the five types of plate is a multiperforated plate with small holes of diameter 6.35 mm. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry