Academic literature on the topic 'Oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa)'

Abstract The main objective of these experiments was to study the oxygen mass transfer rate through the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) for an experimental set-up equipped with a rotating magnetic field (RMF) generator and various liquids. The experimental results indicated that kLa increased along the magnetic strength and the superficial gas velocity. Mathematical correlations defining the influence of the considered factors on kLa were proposed.

Oxygen transfer was studied in an airlift tower fermentor with motionless mixers (Kenics type). The intensity of oxygen transfer was characterized by its volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, which was determined by the balance method. Experimental data of kLa were described by correlation equation and compared with results obtained for the airlift fermentor without motionless mixers with respect to energetic consumption. In addition, growth characteristics of the yeast culture Turulopsis ethanolitolerans cultivated on ethanol were also investigated.

Aeration is usually the most energy intensive part of the wastewater treatment process. Optimizing the aeration system is essential for reducing energy costs. Field tests oriented to estimate parameters related to oxygen transfer are a common approach to compare aeration systems. The aim of this research is to assess the effect of dissolved oxygen probe lag on oxygen transfer parameter estimation. Experimental procedures regarding to process automation and control were applied to quantify dissolved oxygen probe lag. We have measured oxygen transfer in clean water, under a wide range of conditions (airflow rate, diffuser characteristics and diffuser density), with optic and polarographic sensors for dissolved oxygen measurement. The oxygen transfer was measured as per ASCE Standard procedures. Nonparametric statistical tests were used to compare the estimated volumetric mass transfer coefficient KLa with different sensors. According to the results, there is not significant influence of the probe lag (also known as time constant) or probe characteristics on the parameters used to assess oxygen transfer efficiency. This fact has great relevance in common practice of aerobic process for wastewater treatment because dissolved oxygen monitoring is used as an input for decision making related to the energy optimization in the aeration system. Findings from these tests contradict previous studies which claim that lag time in polarographic sensors for the dissolved oxygen measurement can bias estimate KLa.

Distribution of gas bubbles and volumetric mass transfer coefficient, Kla, in a three phase system, with different types of solid particles at different operation conditions were studied in this paper. The ranges of superficial gas and liquid velocities used in this study were 0,03-0,09 m/s and 0-0,1 m/s, respectively. The three different types of solid particles were used as a bed in the column (glass dp=3 mm, dp=6 mm; ceramic dp=6 mm). The experiments were carried out in a 2D plexiglas column, 278 x 20,4 x 500 mm and in a cylindrical plexiglas column, with a diameter of 64 mm and a hight of 2000 mm. The Kla coefficient increased with gas and liquid velocities. Results showed that the volumetric mass transfer coefficient has a higher values in three phase system, with solid particles, compared with two phase system. The particles properties (diameter and density) have a major impact on oxygen mass transfer in three phase systems.

In this study, the effect of pH on the mass transfer of oxygen bubble swarms in non-Newtonian fluids was experimentally studied. The volumetric liquid side mass transfer coefficient (kLa), liquid side mass transfer coefficient (kL), and specific interfacial area (a) were investigated. The pH was regulated by the addition of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). It was found that the kLa increased with the gas flow rate increasing and decreased with the apparent viscosity of the liquid increasing. In the case of pH < 7, a marginal effect of pH on the gas?liquid mass transfer was observed, but when pH value was higher than 7, mass transfer was promoted with the increase of pH value. Via investigating the impact of pH on kL and a, the variation of mass transfer at pH > 7 was attributed to the decomposition of the Xanthan molecular structure by the hydroxyl of NaOH.

Systems of two immiscible liquid phases—aqueous phase (i.e., distilled water (dH2O) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)) and liquid perfluorochemical (i.e., perfluorodecalin (PFD))—were subjected to wave-assisted agitation, i.e., oscillatory rocked, in a disposable bag-like container in a ReadyToProcess WAVETM25 bioreactor, to recognize oxygen transfer effects and effectivity of the surface aeration. According to the DoE methodology, values of the volumetric liquid-side mass transfer (kLa) coefficient for dH2O, PBS, dH2O-PFD, and PBS-PFD systems were determined for the whole range of operating parameters of the WAVE 25 bioreactor. A significantly higher maximal value of kLa was found for waving dH2O than for dH2O-PFD (i.e., 0.00460 s−1 vs. 0.00331 s−1, respectively) compared to more equal maximal values of kLa reached for PBS and PBS-PFD (0.00355 s−1 vs. 0.00341 s−1, respectively). The interface development factor (f) depended on the interfacial area a, and the enhancement factor (EPFD), depending on kLa, was introduced to quantitatively identify the mass transfer effects in the systems of waving two immiscible liquids. The phase of PFD was identified as the reservoir of oxygen. Dimensional correlations were proposed for the prediction of the kLa coefficient, in addition to the f and EPFD factors. The presented correlations, and the set of kLa values, can be directly applied to predict oxygen transfer effects reached under continuous oscillatory rocked systems containing aqueous phase and liquid perfluorochemical.

Oxygen is a harmful substance in many processes because it can bring out corrosion and oxidation of food. This study aimed to enhance the removal of dissolved oxygen (DO) from water by employing a novel rotor–stator reactor (RSR). The effectiveness of the nitrogen stripping coupled with vacuum degassing technique for the removal of DO from water in the RSR was investigated. The deoxygenation efficiency (η) and the mass transfer coefficient (KLa) were determined under various operating conditions for the rotational speed, liquid volumetric flow rate, gas volumetric flow rate, and vacuum degree. The nitrogen stripping coupled with vacuum degassing technique achieved values for η and KLa of 97.34% and 0.0882 s−1, respectively, which are much higher than those achieved with the vacuum degassing technique alone (η = 89.95% and KLa = 0.0585 s−1). A correlation to predict the KLa was established and the predicted KLa values were in agreement with the experimental values, with deviations generally within 20%. The results indicate that RSR is a promising deaerator thanks to its intensification of gas–liquid contact.

Abstract In this study, for the first time, the influence of the design of conventional membrane diffusers on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and bubble size in tap water (TW) and saline water (SW) was investigated (up to 15 g/L NaCl). By using a new analytical approach, kLa and the bubble size along the ascent of the bubble swarm were measured simultaneously and in real time. The results show that in TW, after collision bubbles merge into larger bubbles by coalescence. In SW, coalescence is inhibited by salt. Due to the smaller bubble size, kLa increases to more than double compared to TW. The results show that in SW, membrane diffusers with dense slit patterns and smaller slit lengths are to be recommended in order to enable improved utilization of oxygen in saline water.

Fermentation parameters for surfactin production and sporulation in a submerged culture of Bacillus subtilis Y9 with various oxygen transfer rates in 5 L jar fermenters were investigated. The oxygen-uptake rate (OUR) was positively correlated with volumetric surfactin productivity. When OUR value increased from 0 to 250 s−1, productivity increased up to 45 mg/L·h; however, no further increase was observed at OUR values above 255 s−1. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient KLa increased with increasing agitation speed. However, a reduction in surfactin production was observed at the highest agitation speed of 500 rpm. Productivity sharply decreased after spore appearance, and remained low until the end of the culture. A mesh-type sparger was installed to generate microsized air bubbles. When the system was operated at 400 rpm with the mesh-type sparger, KLa was higher than that at 500 rpm with an original sparger. Under agitation at 400 rpm with the mesh-type sparger, productivity was maintained above 42.3 mg/L·h until 24 h, resulting in the highest surfactin concentration of 875 mg/L. Thus, a mesh-type sparger promotes KLa, leading to an increase in productivity.

Microbubbles with slow rising speed, higher specific area and greater oxygen dissolution are desired to enhance gas/liquid mass transfer rate. Such attributes are very important to tackle challenges on the low efficiency of gas/liquid mass transfer that occurs in aerobic wastewater treatment systems or in the aquaculture industries. Many reports focus on the formation mechanisms of the microbubbles, but with less emphasis on the system optimization and assessment of the aeration efficiency. This work assesses the performance and evaluates the aeration efficiency of a porous venturi-orifice microbubble generator (MBG). The increment of stream velocity along the venturi pathway and orifice ring leads to a pressure drop (Patm > Pabs) and subsequently to increased cavitation. The experiments were run under three conditions: various liquid velocity (QL) of 2.35–2.60 m/s at fixed gas velocity (Qg) of 3 L/min; various Qg of 1–5 L/min at fixed QL of 2.46 m/s; and free flowing air at variable QLs. Results show that increasing liquid velocities from 2.35 to 2.60 m/s imposes higher vacuum pressure of 0.84 to 2.27 kPa. They correspond to free-flowing air at rates of 3.2–5.6 L/min. When the system was tested at constant air velocity of 3 L/min and under variable liquid velocities, the oxygen dissolution rate peaks at liquid velocity of 2.46 m/s, which also provides the highest volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KLa) of 0.041 min−1 and the highest aeration efficiency of 0.287 kgO2/kWh. Under free-flowing air, the impact of QL is significant at a range of 2.35 to 2.46 m/s until reaching a plateau KLa value of 0.0416 min−1. The pattern of the KLa trend is mirrored by the aeration efficiency that reached the maximum value of 0.424 kgO2/kWh. The findings on the aeration efficiency reveals that the venturi-orifice MBG can be further optimized by focusing on the trade-off between air bubble size and the air volumetric velocity to balance between the amount of available oxygen to be transferred and the rate of the oxygen transfer.

A transferência de oxigênio é um fator limitante para grande parte dos cultivos em biorreatores que operam com organismos estritamente aeróbios devido à baixa solubilidade do oxigênio em meios de cultivo. A introdução de meios não convencionais, como polidimetilsiloxanos (PDMS), em biorreatores pode ser vista como uma melhoria para o ajuste desses processos. Este trabalho propõe uma investigação do emprego de polidimetilsiloxano fluido e emulsificado, usados como carreadores de oxigênio, em meios de cultivo na produção de lipases de Staphylococcus warneri EX17, cepa capaz de utilizar glicerol residual como substrato, visando melhorar a disponibilidade de oxigênio e aperfeiçoar a produtividade. Inicialmente, foram realizados estudos para selecionar o uso de glicerol residual, oriundo da síntese química de biodiesel como fonte de carbono. A atividade lipolítica foi semelhante com glicerol comercial e residual. Após a seleção do glicerol foram realizados experimentos em incubadora rotatória horizontal nas condições previamente otimizadas em trabalhos anteriores do grupo, adicionando PDMS. Dois tipos de PDMS foram testados, fluido e emulsificado. A produção de lipase foi significativamente maior no meio contendo PDMS. Assim, ferramentas de planejamento experimental, delineamento composto central (DCC) foram utilizadas para verificar a influencia do PDMS no coeficiente de transferência de oxigênio kLa em meio de cultivo produtor de lipase livre de células. O kLa aumentou significativamente no meio de cultivo contendo PDMS. Dois novos planejamentos foram desenhados, para otimizar a produção de lipase em meio de cultivo com células. Um para PDMS fluido e outro para PDMS emulsificado. No meio contendo PDMS fluido, a atividade lipolítica foi cinco vezes maior, enquanto que no meio contendo silicone emulsificado a atividade lipolítica foi três vezes maior. Este estudo demonstrou que a lipase de S. warneri EX17 pode ser produzida utilizando glicerol residual como fonte de carbono, e polidimetilsiloxanos como carreadores de oxigênio aumentando a transferência de oxigênio no meio e elevando a produção da enzima, que apresenta diversas possibilidades de aplicação, principalmente na indústria de alimentos.
The oxygen transfer is a limiting factor in many bioreactors cultivations, in which strictly aerobic organisms are grown due to the low solubility of oxygen in culture media. The introduction of unconventional media, such as polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) in bioreactors can be seen as a potential improvement for these processes. This work proposes an investigation of the use of polydimethylsiloxane in its two forms, fluid and emulsified, used as carriers of oxygen in culture media for the lipase production of Staphylococcus warneri EX17, strain capable of using glycerol as substrate, to improve the oxygen availability and improve enzyme productivity. Initially, studies were performed to select the use of residual glycerol, derived from the chemical synthesis of biodiesel as a source of carbon. The lipase activity was similar in both commercial and residual glycerol. Experiments were performed on orbital shaker, using conditions previously optimized in another work of the group, but with the addition of PDMS. Two types of PDMS were tested, the fluid and the emulsified. The lipase production was significantly higher in medium containing PDMS. Experimental design and central composite design (CCD) were used to evaluate the influence of PDMS on the oxygen transfer coefficient kLa in culture medium free of lipase-producing cells. The kLa increased significantly in the medium containing PDMS. Two new experimental plannings were designed to optimize the production of lipase in culture medium with cells. In the medium containing the PDMS fluid lipase activity was five times higher than medium without the oxygen carrier, while in the medium containing the emulsified silicone lipase activity was three times higher. This study showed that the lipase from S. warneri EX17 can be produced using residual glycerol as carbon source and that polydimethylsiloxanes works as interesting carrier of oxygen by increasing oxygen transfer rates, improving enzyme production, which has several possible applications, especially in the food industry.

O ácido ƴ-poliglutâmico (ƴ-PGA) é uma homopoliamida aniônica, biodegradável, comestível e atóxica, sintetizada por bactérias do gênero Bacillus, podendo ser utilizado nas indústrias alimentícia e de cosméticos, na medicina e no tratamento de águas residuais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar e identificar potenciais aplicações para o ƴ-PGA obtido através do cultivo submerso de Bacillus subtilis BL53, conduzido sob condições otimizadas em trabalhos anteriores. Além disso, foi avaliado o efeito de diferentes inóculos e da adição de precursores da rota metabólica na produção do biopolímero. A melhor condição obtida foi testada em biorreatores com adição de polidimetilsiloxano (PDMS) como carreador de oxigênio, com o objetivo de aumentar a produtividade do biopolímrero. A massa molar média (Mw), obtida através de espalhamento de luz estático, na ordem de 106 g mol-1 não apresentou diferenças significativas para o biopolímero obtido após 48 e 96 h de cultivo. As análises reológicas conduzidas em viscosímetro rotacional indicaram que os polímeros obtidos após 48 e 96 horas apresentaram comportamento Newtoniano, sendo que após 96 horas a viscosidade absoluta foi maior. As análises térmicas (calorimetria diferencial exploratória e análise termogravimétrica) indicaram a temperatura de fusão (Tm) de 134 ºC e 128 ºC e o intervalo de degradação (Td) entre 120 ºC - 190 ºC e 120 ºC - 215 ºC, para os biopolímeros obtidos após 48 e 96 horas de cultivo respectivamente. O caldo LB apresentou-se como o melhor inóculo para a produção de ƴ-PGA. A adição dos precursores L-glutamina e ácido -cetoglutárico aumentou em 20 % a produção do biopolímero. A adição de 10 % de PDMS nos cultivos em biorreatores aumentou o coeficiente volumétrico de transferência de massa (KLa) e a produção e produtividade do ƴ-PGA, sendo produzidos 23.5 g L-1 do biopolímero em 24 horas de cultivo, uma produtividade aproximadamente 40 % superior às obtidas por outros autores utilizando o mesmo microrganismo.
Poly-ƴ-glutamicacid (ƴ-PGA) is an anionic, biodegradable, non-toxic and edible homopolyamide, synthesized by bacteria of the genus Bacillus, being used in food, cosmetics, medicine and waste water treatment. The aim of this study is to characterize and indentify potencial applicatiions for the ƴ-PGA obtained by submerged cultivation of Bacillus subtilis BL53, conducted under optimized conditions in previous studies. We also evaluated the effect of different inoculants and addition of precursors in the metabolic pathway of production of the biopolymer. The best condition obtained yet been tested in bioreactors with addition of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a carrier of oxygen in order to further increase the productivity of biopolymer. The average molecular weight (Mw) obtained by static light scattering, on the order of 106 g mol-1, showed no significant differences for biopolymer obtained after 48 and 96 h of cultivation. Analyses conducted in rotational viscometer indicated that biopolymers after 48 and 96 h have a Newtonian behavior, and the 96 hours had higher absolute viscosity. The thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermo gravimetric analysis) indicated the melting temperature (Tm) as 134 ºC and 128 ºC and degradation temperature range (Td) of 120 ºC - 190 ºC and 120 ºC - 215 ºC, after 48 and 96 hours respectively. It was found that the best inoculum medium for biopolymer production was the LB broth. The addition of the precursors L-glutamine and -ketoglutaric acid increased in 20% the ƴ-PGA production. The addition of 10% of PDMS in bioreactors cultures increased the mass transfer volumetric coefficient (KLa) and the production and productivity of ƴ-PGA, being produced 23.5 g l-1 of the biopolymer in 24 hours of cultivation, a productivity about 40 % higher than those obtained by other authors using the same microorganism.

Bench and pilot scale determinations of the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient, K_La, were performed on an improved A²/O biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plant. Effluent from a full scale primary clarifier, used as pilot plant influent, was found to have an alpha (ratio of process to clean water K_La) of 0.71 as determined in a 21 liter bench scale reactor and an alpha of 0.332 as determined in a 0.45 m³ aeration basin of the 2.4 m³ pilot plant. Alpha of a 1:1 mixture of primary clarifier effluent with pilot plant return activated sludge was determined to be 0.94 at bench scale and 0.71 at pilot scale. An assay of alphas through the initial non aerated treatment zones of the pilot plant using the bench scale reactor indicated that alphas peaked in the effluent of the first anaerobic zone (alpha equal to 1.01) and were lower in the second anaerobic zone and first anoxic zone. An assay of alphas in the three pilot plant series sideline aeration basins indicated that alpha was maximum in the first aeration basin (alpha equal to 0.905) and were lower in the second and third aeration basins (0.716 and 0.661 respectively). A consistent increase in average surface tension was noted from the first to second to third aeration basins, however the differences were not statistically significant. A comparison of pilot plant alphas determined in the first aeration basin following anaerobic nominal hydraulic retention times of 0.0, 0.21, 0.43, and 0.64 hours yielded alpha values of 0.71, 0.94, 0.64, and 0.74 respectively. Like the assay using the bench scale reactor, the alpha values at pilot scale peaked following treatment in only one anaerobic zone (nominal HRT of 0.21 hours). The study concludes that short exposures in an initial anaerobic reactor as required for biological phosphorus removal may benefit oxygen transfer efficiency through increased alphas, however the benefits of long periods of anaerobic reaction time (over 0.43 hours) are uncertain.
Master of Science

La micro-oxygénation des vins, par la dispersion de bulles d’oxygène, est une pratique de plus en plus utilisée dans le domaine de l’œnologie. Cette technique n’est pas toujours convenablement maitrisée par manque de connaissances scientifiques sur les paramètres régissant le transfert de l’oxygène. La recherche s'est focalisée sur l'étude des coefficients de transfert en fonction des composés du vin (CO2, éthanol, sucrose, consommateurs d’oxygène) et des conditions opératoires (type de diffuseur, température, rapport entre hauteur et diamètre du contenant de liquide). Les résultats montrent que lors de la micro-oxygénation, le dioxyde de carbone dissous et le sucrose ont une incidence négative sur le transfert alors que la présence d’éthanol améliore le transfert. En ce qui concerne les conditions opératoires, l’augmentation de débit de gaz et l’augmentation de rapport entre la hauteur et le diamètre de la cuve de micro-oxygénation joue positivement sur le transfert d’oxygène La surface spécifique des bulles et le coefficient de transfert de matière ont pu être dissociés pour les vins. La nature tensio-active des composés du vin semble être un élément important sur le transfert de matière. Les connaissances acquises ont été appliquées à la micro-oxygénation au cours de deux étapes de l'élaboration des vins : la fermentation alcoolique avec la maitrise de l’apport d’oxygène et la simulation de la technique d’élevage en barrique par micro-oxygénation couplée à l’ajout de copeaux de bois. Une nouvelle approche concerne l'étude d'un contacteur membranaire qui permet le transfert d’oxygène par diffusion
Micro-oxygenation of the wines, by the dispersion of oxygen bubbles, is a practice increasingly used in oenology. This technique is not always suitably controlled for lack of scientific knowledge on the parameters governing the transfer of oxygen. Research was focused on the study of transfer coefficients in function of wine components (CO2, ethanol, sucrose, consuming oxygen) and of operating conditions (type of diffuser, temperature, relationship between height and diameter of the container of liquid). The results show that during micro-oxygenation, the dissolved carbon dioxide and the sucrose have a negative incidence on the transfer whereas the presence of ethanol improves the transfer. As operating conditions are concerned, the increase in gas output and the increase in micro-oxygenation tank height/diameter ratio positively influence oxygen transfer. For wines, the specific surface of the bubbles and the mass transfer coefficient could be dissociated. The surfactant nature of wine components seems to be the most important factor in mass transfer. The knowledge so acquired was applied to micro-oxygenation during two stages of wine making: alcoholic fermentation with the oxygen yield control and the simulation of ageing technique in barrels coupled with the wood chips addition. A new approach relates to the study of a membrane contactor application allowing the oxygen transfer by diffusion

A closed-loop two-phase microchannels cooling system using a micro-gear pump was built in this paper. The microchannels heat sink was made of oxygen-free copper, and 14 parallel microchannels with the dimension of 0.8mm(W)×1.5mm(D)×20mm(L) were formed by electric spark drilling followed by linear cutting which separated the channels from each other. The heat transfer performance was evaluated by the fluid temperature, the pressure drop across the micro-channels and the volumetric flow rate. Experiments were performed with refrigerant FC-72 which spanned the following conditions: initial pressure of Pin = 73 kPa, mass velocity of G = 94 – 333 kg/m2s, outlet quality of xe,out = 0 – superheat and heat flux of q″= 25–140 W/cm2. The result showed that, the maximum heat flux achieved 96 W/cm2, as the heating surface temperature was kept below 85 °C and critical heat flux occurred in the condition of low flow rate. Average two-phase heat transfer coefficients increased with the heat flux at low mass flux (G = 94 and 180 kg/m2s) and all heat fluxes, high mass flux (G = 333 kg/m2s) and all heat fluxes, and moderate mass fluxes (G = 224kg/m2s) under low and moderate heat fluxes (q″&lt;110 W/cm2 for G = 224 kg/m2s), which was a feature of nucleate boiling mechanism. Pressure drop through microchannels heat sink was found to be below 4kPa.

The equations describing mass transfer coefficients are rather concise, but experimental data is required to determine the coefficients. Here, mass transfer rates were measured in a large scale system, which consisted of an 8.4 meter tall by 0.76 meter diameter column containing one of three fluids: water with an anti-foam agent, water without an anti-foam agent, and a Bingham plastic fluid, referred to as AZ101 simulant. The Bingham fluid differed from water since it required an applied yield stress to initiate flow. Newtonian fluids, like water, have a zero yield stress. Each of the fluids was saturated with oxygen, and the oxygen was removed from solution as air bubbled up, or sparged, through the solution from the bottom of the column. Air sparging was supplied by a single pipe which was co-axial to the column. The decrease in oxygen concentration was recorded, and the oxygen measurements were then used to determine the mass transfer coefficients to describe the rate of oxygen transfer from solution. Mass transfer data for 24 different test conditions were determined. Superficial sparging velocities of 2, 5, and 10 mm/second were applied to each of the simulants at three different column fill levels, where the superficial velocity is defined as the average volumetric flow rate divided by the liquid surface area in the column. Mass transfer coefficient test results are presented herein for each test combination of superficial velocity and fluid level.