Effect of surface resistance arising due to surfactant on gas absorption accompanied by a chemical reaction in a foam-bed-reactor

Abstract

On the basis of an idealized foam bed, a model to predict conversion in a foam-bed-reactor containing surfactant has been developed. The model takes into account the effect of surface resistance, arising due to the presence of a surface active agent, on gas absorption accompanied by a chemical reaction in a foam matrix. To verify the theory, experiments have been carried out in a semi-batch foam-bed-reactor for the absorption of air-carbon dioxide mixture in a foam of sodium hydroxide solution containing finite; concentrations of different surfactants. The surface resistance offered by the molecules of surfactant at the gas-liquid interface reduces the mass transfer rates significantly. The proposed model predicts fairly well the experimentally found depletion values of sodium hydroxide.