Mass Transfer Studies in Multiphase Syst

Three phase systems are vital parts of the chemical industry, as reactions involving gas, liquid, and solid are often encountered in chemical processes. This review aims to consolidate the knowledge gained from various studies over the last thirty years concerning the mass transfer in three-phase systems, emphasizing the importance of interphase mass transfer in hydroprocessing, catalytic oxidation, and hydration reactions. Different methodologies for determining the interfacial area and mass transfer coefficient are discussed, highlighting the efficacy of fiber optic probes for accurate measurements. It is found that the interfacial area is significantly influenced by gas superficial velocity, while the mass transfer coefficient is more reliant on chemical methods due to their less stringent flow regime requirements. Additionally, simultaneous measurement of interfacial area and mass transfer coefficients is explored, providing insights under consistent hydrodynamic and physico-chemical conditions. Notably, the mass transfer coefficient increases with gas superficial velocity but shows a minimal dependence on liquid superficial velocity. Furthermore, mass transfer during phenol degradation is found to improve with higher Reynolds numbers and concentrations of phenol feed. This comprehensive review underscores the critical nature of understanding mass transfer phenomena for the effective design and operation of chemical processing systems.