Hydrodynamics and mass transfer coefficient in a split-cylindrical airlift bioreactor containing oil-in-water micro-emulsions

The main purpose of this work was to investigate the impacts of operating conditions and liquid properties on the hydrodynamic and mass transfer coefficient in a split-cylindrical airlift bioreactor with oil-in-water micro-emulsions. Four different oil-in-water micro-emulsion systems containing kerosene, heavy naphtha, light naphtha and diesel as oil based was used with concentration ranging of 3%, 5% and 7% (v/v). The experimental results show that with an increase in the superficial gas velocity, gas holdup, Liquid circulation velocity and oxygen transfer coefficient increased and mixing time decreased. With increasing carbon atom numbers, resulted in a increase in the value of gas hold-up, mixing time and volumetric mass transfer coefficient and a decrease in the value of liquid circulation velocity which was attributed to a decrease of surface tension, density and viscosity.