Numerical simulation and experimental investigation of multiphase mass transfer process for industrial applications in China

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the remarkable achievements by Chinese scientists and engineers who have contributed to the multiscale process design, with emphasis on the transport mechanisms in stirred reactors, extractors, and rectification columns. After a brief review of the classical theory of transport phenomena, this paper summarizes the domestic developments regarding the relevant experiments and numerical techniques for the interphase mass transfer on the drop/bubble scale and the micromixing in the single-phase or multiphase stirred tanks in China. To improve the design and scale-up of liquid-liquid extraction columns, new measurement techniques with the combination of both particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics have been developed and advanced modeling methods have been used to determine the axial mixing and mass transfer performance in extraction columns. Detailed investigations on the mass transfer process in distillation columns are also summarized. The numerical and experimental approaches modeling transport phenomena at the vicinity of the vapor-liquid interface, the point efficiency for trays/packings regarding the mixing behavior of fluids, and the computational mass transfer approach for the simulation of distillation columns are thoroughly analyzed. Recent industrial applications of mathematical models, numerical simulation, and experimental methods for the design and analysis of multiphase stirred reactors/crystallizers, extractors, and distillation columns are seen to garnish economic benefits. The current problems and future prospects are pinpointed at last.