Prediction of flow rates and stability in large scale airlift reactors

John Hinks, Howard Cawte, David Sanders, Chris Dockree

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

    Abstract

    Large-scale High Recirculation Airlift Reactors have been used to treat biodegradable waste waters since the mid nineteen seventies. The system is particularly attractive for situations where the land to locate wastewater works is restricted. Little is known, however, about the fluid dynamics of the gas-liquid mixture flowing around the reactor. This makes the determination of air injection rates difficult if effluent quality and dynamic stability are to be maintained. When the air injected is not sufficient to maintain stable operation the reactor contents may reverse violently resulting in down time, failure to achieve target discharge quality and possible damage to the reactor itself. As a result many reactor installations operate at air injection rates above those necessary for the biological processes. The extra air injected results in higher capital and process costs. This paper considers the effect of air injection rates on the hydrodynamic stability of Airlift Reactors and a two-phase model is proposed to predict stable operation at a reduced air injection rate. Results are presented which show the effect of reactor design on stability.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages125 - 133
    Publication statusPublished - 1995
    EventBHR Conference - BHR Group, Birmingham, United Kingdom
    Duration: 22 Oct 199524 Oct 1995

    Conference

    ConferenceBHR Conference
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    CityBirmingham
    Period22/10/9524/10/95

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    • BHR Conference

      David Sanders (Presented paper)

      23 Oct 1995

      Activity: Participating in or organising an event typesParticipation in conference

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