Population balance method for bubble column reactors, with organic liquids

Bubble columns are commonly used in industry for bioprocesses, toluene hydrogenation for hydrogen transport or oligomerization of ethylene. However, predicting the bubble size distribution in a bubble column under specific operating conditions remains a major challenge for the scientific community, especially in the case of presence of an organic liquid phase.

The present project proposes to build up a breakthrough methodology based on both small and large scales experiments to determine breakage and coalescence kernels in organic liquids. The main goal of the PhD proposal consists in making a link between small scale experiments under controlled conditions (determination of bubble breakup frequency and coalescence efficiency) to the bubble size distributions in bubble columns. Further aim is to use the experimentally collected data to test and improve population balance method for bubble column reactors with organic liquids.

Required education and skills

• Master degree in chemical or mechanical engineering or in physical chemistry;
• Systematic and creative approach to scientific research, teamwork ability.