Mass and heat transfer from the surface of a gas sparged pool of liquid to an immiscible liquid under swirl flow and potential applications

Abstract Rates of mass and heat transfer (by analogy) between a gas sparged mercury pool and a swirling aqueous solution were studied by the electrochemical technique. Variables studied were superficial gas velocity, physical properties of the solution, and swirl flow velocity. The data were correlated by the equation: Sh = 0.011 S c 0.33 R e g 0.31 R e n 0.23 The overall mass transfer coefficient due to the combined gas sparging and swirl flow k can be calculated in terms of the individual gas sparging mass transfer coefficient k g and swirl flow mass transfer coefficient k s from the equation: k = [ k g 3 + k s 3 ] 0.33 Application of the present results in the recovery of heat from low melting point liquid metal pools [such as mercury, gallium, indium and tin] in the production stage by direct cooling with water or high boiling point liquids was pointed out. Implication of the present results for the rational design of high space–time yield batch recycle electrochemical reactor with a mercury pool cathode suitable for conducting diffusion controlled electroorganic synthesis was highlighted. Liquid–liquid extraction processes involving surface active organic solutes which form stable emulsions between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase can be benefited from the present results in the design of a high productivity extractor.