Mass transfer prediction of gas-liquid contacting in a rotating spiral channel

Numerical solution of the governing equations for mass, momentum and species can be used to predict mass transfer in a rotating spiral device. The case of a dilute solute transferring in counter-current gas-liquid flow is considered. Computations in a two-dimensional section of the flow with an existing model for interface shape are used to determine the velocity and solute species fields in each phase. The prediction is assessed along with that of an existing analytical solution for infinite channel width by comparison with some recent mass transfer coefficient data for acetone desorbing from water into air over a range of water flow rates. The computation reproduces the measured results well over the full range of the data. At higher liquid flow rates it is found that secondary motion in each phase generated by Coriolis acceleration acting on the gas phase, causes a doubling of mass transfer coefficient.