TiO2 nanofluid for oxygen mass transfer intensification in pulsed plate column

Abstract

Oxygen mass transfer coefficient (kLa) is a key parameter in biochemical, photochemical, or other reactors. Pulsed plate column (PPC) has a potential application as a gas-liquid contactor. In the present work, TiO2 nanofluid mediated oxygen mass transfer intensification in PPC is studied. The pulsing velocity (A × f) and nanoparticle loading in volume percent (Φ) have an interacting effect on kLa. The effect of Φ on kLa, showed a dual regime of an increase in kLa with an increase in Φ up to a critical loading (Φ CL) and decrease in kLa on further increase in Φ. The effect of (A × f) on kLa showed three regimes. Φ CL & kLa were found to decrease as the nanoparticle's size increased. Dimensionless correlations based on multiple regression analysis and ANN models were developed to predict the kLa values in PPC with TiO2 nanofluids. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.