Reactions between components of a gas and a liquid are carried out in a variety of equipment, often having confusing names.

The variety stems from a number of conditions that have to be fulfilled simultaneously: efficient contact between gas and liquid-and eventuallya solid catalyst, limitation of pressure drop, ease of removal of heat, low cost of construction and operation. Depending on whether the main mass transfer resistance is located in the gas or in the liquid, multiphase reactors or absorbers are operated either with a distributed gas phase and continuous liquid phase or vice versa. Whether co- or countercurrent flow of gas and liquid is used depends on the availability of driving forces for mass and heat transfer and reaction. Table 14.1-1 (Froment, 1979) classifies various types of equipment for gas-liquid reactions. It is based on geometric aspects, the presence or absence of a solid catalyst, and the flow directions. Before discussing model equations and specific design aspects the various types of reactors of Table 14.1-1 will be briefly characterized in a qualitative way.

Design Models for Multiphase Flow Reactors Some general models, which could be used for the design of any of the reactors or absorbers of the classification of Table 14.1-1, are derived and their solution briefly described. The models are mostly based on plug flow or complete mixing of one or both phases, but effective diffusion and two zone models are also presented. More specific models are discussed in later sections. A distinction is made between reactions taking place in the film only-whereby the bulk concentration of A is zero-and reactions that extend into the bulk of the liquid, whereby this concentration differs from zero. When the liquid flow rate, L, the gas flow rate, F, the inlet and outlet partial pressure of the reacting component A of the gas phase, (pA)in and (pA)out respectively, and the inlet concentration of the reacting component B of the liquid phase are given, the problem is to find the outlet concentration of B, written (CB)out and the volume, V, of the reactor. This is the kind of problem commonly encountered in absorbers. In reactors, on the other hand, conditions are often imposed on the liquid component-in hydrodesulphurization, for example, but also in hydrogenations, oxidations or chlorinations-and L, F, (CB)in, (CB)out, (pA)in would be given or imposed through certain constraints like flooding rates, to be discussed in later sections. The unknowns would then be (pA)out and the volume V.

Reference: Froment G.F., Bischoff K.B. Chemical Reactor Analysis and Design. pp. 691, 692, 695. 1979.