Inorganic Carbon Formation in Rotating Thin Liquid Films to Support Algal Growth

Abstract

This paper presents the results of testing a novel gas-to-liquid mass transfer unit for enhancing the transfer of carbon dioxide (CO2) into liquid media by reducing the mass transfer resistance through the formation of a thin liquid film on a rotating membrane. The initial (maximum) mass transfer rate of inorganic carbon into liquid was quantified when operating the mass transfer unit under three different CO2 concentrations in air (1%, 2%, and 10%), two membrane rotational speeds (70 rpm and 90 rpm), and two liquid media (deionized (DI) water and BG-11 algal growth media.) Results indicated that increasing CO2 concentration in the gas increased the inorganic carbon transfer rate into the liquid film as expected, but not linearly. Increasing the membrane's rotational speed resulted in increasing the inorganic carbon mass transfer rate as well. The use of BG-11 algal media as a liquid film instead of DI water increased the inorganic carbon mass transfer rate. CO2 volumetric mass transfer coefficients (kLa) were calculated and compared with conventional CO2 supply systems. Results indicated that the mass transfer unit can be used to supply inorganic carbon to the microalgal cultures with relatively high transfer rates.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Comments

Partial funding for this work was provided by the Ohio Water Development Authority.

Keywords and Phrases

Carbon Dioxide; Inorganic Carbon; Inorganic Carbon Formation Rate; Mass Transfer; Thin Liquid Films

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2211-9264

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Dec 2020

Link to Full Text

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