Application of image processing for a bubble column reactor

Two phase flow is the simultaneous flow of two phases predominantly a gas and a liquid. A bubble column reactor is an example of the application of two phase flows. Bubble column reactors find their use in bioprocesses and in chemical industries. In this article the changes in the nature of air bubbles due to the change in flow rate has been studied using image processing techniques. The flow rate of air is controlled by a flow control valve. Photographs of the bubbles are taken for various velocities. An Image processing algorithm is developed using various image processing techniques and the photographs are analysed. The properties such as the velocity, shape and area of the bubbles are studied by image processing techniques.

I. INTRODUCTION

Bubble column reactors are examples of two phase flows. They find their application in which the gas is injected into the tank inside an immobile liquid by a pump. They find their application in process industries since they have very less constraints over the nature of operation. These devices are used to catalyse reactions in chemical and process industries and are extensively used in water purification. There is a need to understand the properties of the bubble such as its size, shape and velocity since they are the critical parameters in the reactor design and control. A number of works has been done to study the flow characteristics in the case of two phase flows in glass tubes.