Hydrodynamics of Plate Column for Enzymatic Reactions of Oil

Abstract

-This work describes the hydrodynamics of a plate column of 5 cm inner diameter and 2.75 m height, operated in a semi-batch manner using an oil-water system especially important for enzymatic catalyzed reactions. The parameters such as dispersed phase superficial velocity, plate orifice size, number of nozzles, nozzle size and plate spacing, affecting the dispersed phase hold up, were investigated. It was observed that the orifice plate produced an uneven change in drop diameter and hence nozzles were used to study the hydrodynamics. The total and dynamic hold ups determined were increased with an increase in dispersed phase superficial velocity, while decreased with an increase in a nozzle size. The total hold up decreased, while dynamic hold up slightly increased with an increase in plate spacing. Correlations obtained are found to be appropriate for the estimation of the total hold up and dynamic hold up.