Convection-induced enhancement of mass transfer through an interface separating two immiscible liquids in a two-layer horizontal annulus

A. Yu Gelfgat, A. L. Yarin, P. Z. Bar-Yoseph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two-fluid natural-convection flow in the horizontal cylindrical annulus and its effect on mass transfer through the liquid-liquid interface of two immiscible fluids are studied numerically. The liquids are stratified by gravity, with the denser one occupying the lower part of the annulus. The convective motion is driven by heating of the inner or outer cylindrical boundary. It is shown that the mass transfer of a passive scalar (say, a protein) through the interface can be significantly enhanced by the convective flow. Varying the radii ratio from 0.1 to 0.5, it is found that the mass transfer is more intensive in annuli with smaller radii ratio. No significant difference in the mass transfer rates was found between the heating of either inner or outer cylinder. A possibility of further mass transfer enhancement using more complicated temperature distribution on the boundaries is demonstrated. The problem is related to the search for novel bioseparator devices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)790-800
Number of pages11
JournalPhysics of Fluids
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003 Mar

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computational Mechanics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Convection-induced enhancement of mass transfer through an interface separating two immiscible liquids in a two-layer horizontal annulus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this