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10 100 1000
Gat
10* 10*
K;
IIP
to*
(c)
ference in hydraulic head, then the despite the fact that air lift represent then the data in Figure 2 yield a fam
net rate of liquid at that height will overall a net cocurrent, rather than ily of parallel curves spaced accord
be continuously expelled from the countercurrent, flow. ing to the square root of the lift
pipe and hence the action referred to In Figure 2 gas volume and gas height. Multiplying the ordinate and
as a lift "pump." density are based on discharge con dividing the abscissa by the square
ditions; within a long lift pipe these root of L results in the correlation of
could vary significantly from inlet to Figure 2.
Experimental air-lift data
discharge. However, the significance
Figure 2 displays a variety of pub of "corrections" to the data in Figure
lished air-lift data covering lift 2 would be difficult to evaluate justi Effect of fluid density
heights ranging from 5 in. to 65 ft fiably when even the best data are Since all the data in Figure 2 are
and pipe diameters from Vi in. to 15 subject to experimental error and to based on lifting water, the question
in. The curves drawn through each the effects of the air injection arrang- arises as to how well this correlation
investigator's results fall into a ments (22).
would satisfy other fluids. The ordi
numerical sequence with height of The submergence term, 5, in the nate should be modified by consid
lift. The basis for the choice of coor denominator of the ordinate of ering that increased liquid density
dinates in Figure 2 lays principally in Figure 2 is based on analogy to cor would logically result in reducing
their ability to correlate maximum relating data on entrainment from
countercurrent dilute phase-dense
the effective volumetric yield, or
distillation trays (25). It also reflects conversely giving the same wieght
phase flow through empty vertical the work expanded in compressing
tubes and packed towers (23,24). yield at equal air rates. Chamberlain
the air in an air lift. If S is replaced (2) obtained air-lift data for both
That these coordinates yield a plot as by log [(5 + 34)/34], which is pro water and a 93.5 lb/ft3 caustic solu
organized in Figure 2 lends credibili portional to the work of compression
ty to this approach to correlation, tion in the same pipe; his data are
and still reflects the submergence, plotted in Figure 3 and show excel-
E=W/W, (3)
E=WtUPoVcln(P/Pa) (4)
105 pG = 0.0765
Mean curve
through
data of
Rgure 3.
103
10'
1,000
0.028
(9)
C
+
Equation 9 is shown in
3
Figure 4 as superim
posed on Figure 3. The
Ingersoll-Rand equation
plots as a straight line
with slope correspond
ing to the air-to-water
ratio at peak theoretical
efficiency. The curve
based on experimental
data exhibits this same 103
slope at only one point,
but then curves away to
yield lower water-to-air
ratios at values of the abscissa
(air rate) higher or lower than 102
1.000
that corresponding to the ratio at
this point of maximum delivery
efficiency. The Ingersoll-Rand
equation is therefore useful in Figure 6. Multiphase cocurrent
estimating the yield from an air vertical up/low regimes.
lift only under conditions of peak
theoretical efficiency, but not
Examples
over the entire range of possible Consider the operable gas-liquid-
operating conditions. Figures 3 solids ratios for two situations illus
and 4 incorporate as well the trated in Figure S:
effect of fluids of densities other 1. Air lifting of water 30 ft
than water. through a 6 in. pipe submerged 50 ft.