| Gas-liquid two-phase flow occurs in numerous industrial applications. The interphase transfer processes are the key elements in the analysis of many of these applications. However, the reliable models and correlations for predicting the interphase transfer rates are available only for simple and idealized situations. For the widely-encountered two-phase flow regimes, such as bubbly, slug and churn, the available correlation are scarce and are in significant disagreement with each other.;In this study, the volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficients were experimentally measured in vertical channels with 1.9 cm and 5.08 cm inner diameter supporting cocurrent, upward two-phase flows. Deionized water and aqueous solutions of sucrose and polyacrylamide constituted the liquid phase, pure nitrogen was the gas phase, and oxygen was the transferred species. The potential systematic errors in the previous experiments were removed by on-line measurement and elimination of entrance effects. The obtained experimental data cover slug and churn flow. The effects of test section diameter, liquid viscosity, non-Newtonian rheology of the liquid, channel entrance and liquid and gas superficial velocities on the liquid-side volumetric mass transfer coefficient were explored, and important trends were identified.;The obtained data were compared with predictions of available correlations with significant disagreements among the correlations, and between the correlations and data. New empirical correlations were developed based on the obtained data representing fully-developed slug and churn flow regimes, for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids. |
