TiO2 nanofluid for oxygen mass transfer intensification in pulsed plate column

Abstract

Oxygen mass transfer coefficient (k<inf>L</inf>a) 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, TiO<inf>2</inf> nanofluid mediated oxygen mass transfer intensification in PPC is studied. The pulsing velocity (A × f) and nanoparticle loading in volume percent (?) have an interacting effect on k<inf>L</inf>a. The effect of ? on k<inf>L</inf>a, showed a dual regime of an increase in k<inf>L</inf>a with an increase in ? up to a critical loading (? <inf>CL</inf>) and decrease in k<inf>L</inf>a on further increase in ?. The effect of (A × f) on k<inf>L</inf>a showed three regimes. ? <inf>CL</inf> & k<inf>L</inf>a 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 k<inf>L</inf>a values in PPC with TiO<inf>2</inf> nanofluids. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.