Date of Award
8-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Environmental Engineering and Earth Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Caye Drapcho
Committee Member
Dr. M.K. Watson
Committee Member
Dr. Nhuan Nghiem
Abstract
An experimental method for measurement and determination of carbon dioxide volumetric mass transfer coefficients (kLa) in high pH water was developed. The goal of this research was to develop a relationship between CO2 and O2 volumetric mass transfer coefficients for accurate kLa values in order to meet the needs of carbon capture systems and other industries. Results included dissolved oxygen (DO) and total inorganic carbon (TIC) kLa comparisons, as well as polarographic DO (mg/L) and galvanic DO (mV) kLa correlation. CO2 kLa estimation based on O2 mass transfer was significantly higher than experimental results. Mean CO2 kLa values for a specific air-lift device ranged from 0.063 - 0.2 (1/min) for three depths and air flow rates for laboratory-scale experiments. When compared to laboratory-scale kLa values with equivalent water depth and air flow rate parameters, small pilot-scale average CO2 and TIC kLa values decreased proportionally with increase in volume. This relationship confirmed laboratory CO2 kLa results to be an accurate scale up TIC delivery predictor for pilot algae raceway systems.
Recommended Citation
Walker, John, "Development of Mass Transfer Coefficient Correlations Between Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen for Air-lift Devices" (2023). All Theses. 4155.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/4155
Comments
Dedication:
I would like to dedicate this thesis to hard work, and to those who care about tomorrow’s world pushing for a sustainable future. May our work help edge the needle, in some small way, towards a better World. May this report bring us one step closer to that.
Acknowledgements:
First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to do this research, and my future wife Sarah and roommate Jack for listening to me ramble about carbon for 2 years. I want to venerably thank my advisor Dr. Caye Drapcho for believing in our research, and mentoring me into a confident researcher. I’d like to thank my committee members Dr. M.K. Watson and Dr. Nhuan Nghiem for their expertise, and being so willing to assist with my thesis defense. Thank you all for your service to this thesis research. I greatly appreciate you.