Improvement of oxygen transfer by increasing contact area between gas and liquid using air–water interface generator

ABSTRACT

In this current study, an apparatus called air–water interface generator was investigated for oxygen transfer enhancement by increasing a contact area between air and water. The effect of this apparatus and its optimal installation condition were investigated. The total volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (k_La_T) in this study was divided into volumetric oxygen transfer for the bubble transfer (k_La_B), volumetric oxygen transfer for the inner interface transfer inside the apparatus (k_La_I), and volumetric oxygen transfer for the free water surface transfer (k_La_S). The experimental results show that the apparatus installed near the water surface could increase the oxygen transfer 18% due to the presence of an inner interface. Additionally, the effect of the number and the position of apparatus on bubble dispersion should also be taken into consideration since the bubble transfer makes the most significant contribution to total oxygen transfer in the diffused aeration system.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Dissolved oxygen
• air–water interface
• bubble oxygen transfer
• surface oxygen transfer
• volumetric mass transfer coefficient

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.