Gas absorption in a pulsed bubble column

The absorption of oxygen from air into tap water in a pulsed bubble column has been investigated. The column consisted of two 3 in. dia. vertical tubes 9 ft. 10 in. high connected at the base and pulsed by compressed air at frequencies of 1·09–1·35 Hz and amplitudes up to 3·7 in. The mass transfer product kLa was measured by the unsteady state method using a polarographic probe.It was found that the gas holdup and kLa were increased as much as threefold by pulsing. The values of holdup, kLa and kL were compared with those given in the literature for dispersions in stirred tanks. The performance in these respects was approximately the same, but the pulsed column offers the possibility of multistage operation.