Eldho Abraham

ABSTRACT

In this paper an effort has been made to review the renowned literatures in the area of gas inducing mechanically agitated contactors (GIMACs) and to summarize inferences. This work is done in a preceptorial focus of integrating technical information on hydrodynamics of GIMACs wide spread through a large number of literatures of eminent authors. The classification and the air induction mechanism of the GIMACs were explained. The hydrodynamic models and correlations developed by various authors for single orifice impellers in terms of critical impeller speed, gas induction rate and power consumption were critically reviewed. The various extensions of the single orifice models to the multiple orifices models were also analyzed. Various equations those are involved in the estimation of the pressure driving force had also been discussed. Different regimes of gas bubble formation and bubble ejection were also explained along with the details of gas holdup, bubble size and bubble size distribution. Different correlations for finding the bubbles sizes under corresponding regimes were also dealt in this work. Key words: GIMAC, gas inducing mechanically agitated contactor, impeller blade, gas induction, critical speed, power consumption, rate of gas induction, pressure driving force, gas holdup, bubble size.