Correlation for volumetric mass transfer coefficient in mechanically agitated aerated vessel for oxygen absorption in aqueous electrolyte solutions.

Empirical equations used so for for computing k(l)a in mechanically agitated aerated vessels agree well with the measured dependence of K(l)a on the power input of the stirrer and the superficial velocity of the gas. However, they do not fit the dependence of K(l)a on the physical properties of the liquid batch. From the data published so far it can be deduced that the equations suitable for the description of the dependence of k(mol)a on the liquid physical properties must include some independent variable, which characterizes the rate of coalescence of the bubbles. About 400 experimental values of K(l)a were compared with those calculated from different relations. This comparison shows that the rate of coalescence for the aqueous electrolyte solutions is well described on the basis of the Gibbs theory of adsorption of the solute in the surface layer of the solution.