Method and apparatus for carrying out technological process steps in gas-liquid systems (G-L systems)

摘要

Technological process steps in fluid or fluidised single- or multiphase systems generally require intensive mixing and/or dispersing for mass and heat transfer as well as, in continuous operation, as uniform a residence time as possible of the throughput, in order to obtain a uniform product in all the time-dependent process steps. Hitherto, it has only been possible to meet these mutually contradictory requirements fairly roughly in very elaborate cascades of stirred vessels. In contrast, the present invention provides a considerably simpler design and way of operation of cascades having a very large number of steps in a tower-like container. Here, intensive vortex formation is produced in each chamber by rising lighter substances - preferably gas - and by connecting many vortex chambers in series, very uniform residence times of all the substances flowing through are effected. The gas lift drive is energetically particularly favourable if the gas is required in any case for the process step (for example absorption) or is produced in the course thereof (for example biogas). Solids - for example (bio)chemical catalysts - can likewise be fluidised in the vortex chambers. The simple flow-guiding devices can also be used for mass and heat transfers. The procedure and the apparatus require little investment and operating costs and avoid moving parts (hermeticity, sterility). They offer particular advantages in chemical and energy technology as well as in biotechnology.