AIChE Journal, Vol.65, No.4, 1340-1354, 2019
A novel arterial Wick for gas-liquid phase separation
Gas-liquid phase separation under microgravity conditions or in small-scale fluidic systems represents a challenge for two-phase liquid-continuous systems. In this study, capillary channels formed by 3-mm diameter stretched stainless-steel springs coated with a commercial superhydrophobic coating are used to remove air bubbles from water. A single channel is capable of absorbing a stream of 3.7-mm diameter bubbles impinging on a small area of the channel at a rate of over 50 bubbles/s. High-permeability walls lead to fast individual absorption events (4 ms for 2.5-mm bubbles) where bubble collapse time is limited by the inertia of the surrounding liquid. A horizontal three-channel array has been shown capable of absorbing impinging bubbles from a sparger at superficial gas velocities of 0.03 m/s. The ultimate capacity of the 3-mm diameter channel is predicted to be much higher than what could be measured with the existing apparatus. (c) 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 1340-1354, 2019