Performance of an RTL contactor for gas‐liquid systems: Effective interfacial area and volumetric mass transfer coefficient by oxidation of sodium sulphite solution

Effective interfacial area a and volumetric liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient k_La of an RTL contactor were obtained at different stirring speeds by absorption of oxygen from air into 0.8 kmol/m³ sodium sulphite solution, in the presence of Co⁺⁺ ions. The values of a and k_La ranged from 80 to 150 m²/m³ and 0.0003 to 0.00053 s⁻¹, respectively, when stirrer speed was increased from 8 to 40 rpm. When k_L alone was evaluated, it was found to be practically constant, irrespective of stirring speed.