Characterization of an airlift reactor with helical flow promoters

The helical flow promoter (HFP), inserted in the downcomer of an airlift reactor (ALR), generates a helical flow pattern in the circulating gas-liquid (solid) mixture. Data on the fluidization capacity, gas holdup, liquid velocity and mass transfer rate for two- and three-phase systems with two different carboxymethylcellulose solutions collected in a 58 L ALR-HFP are presented and compared with those of common pneumatic reactors. Generally, an increasing solid concentration led to a slight decrease in gas holdup and liquid velocity but to a considerable decrease in mass transfer rates. Insertion of HFPs produced a significantly enhanced fluidization capacity of solid particles compared to the common systems.