CFD simulation of gas–liquid flow behaviour in an air-lift reactor: determination of the optimum distance of the draft tube

CFD simulation in an air-lift reactor containing a draft tube was employed. Three different layouts between the draft tube and the wall were used to determine the optimum distance between them. Appropriate distance of the draft tube and the wall was determined for the designing purposes, and the best distance was calculated. The simulation results were compared with the experimental results of the Menzel et al. Also it was also proven that the optimum distance results in the best possible effective mixing, higher rotary movements of the liquid and gas, and consequently improves the reactor performance.