Process intensification in heat and mass transfer is achieved particularly in chemical systems by optimizing molecular energy in gases and liquids involved in the reaction and heat transfer processes. This process focuses on key different components that play specific roles in mass and heat transfer in these systems. These include methods such as absorption, mist disengagement, filtration, dust disengagement, electrolysis, and distillation among others.
The buoyancy of fluids is used for mass transfer intensification and bears a general relationship defined by the equation, ΔÏg. These variables affect the interfacial shear characteristic of liquid droplets directly influencing the flow of heat in a system. On the other hand, electrical bulbs, waxes, and similar sources of heat and light depend on variables such as the diameter of the electric valve and the diameter of wax globules (Kearney, 1999). The behavior of these devices may be inferior leading to poor heat transfer and larger heat losses.
On the other hand, the intensification of heat transfer relies on various mechanisms involved in the process. This intensification correlates with the nature of the fluid stream and the method through which heat is transferred within the system. Generally, when fluid turbulence is high, higher shear forces result, influencing values of heat transfer coefficients. This is well illustrated in the following expressions. These values can be manipulated to optimize mass and heat transfer.
Nu = 1 Re0.8 Pr0.33 3.1
Sh = 2 Re0.8 Sc0.33 3.2
Nu = Nusselt number; Re = Reynolds number; Pr = Prandtl number; Sh = Sherwood number. The film transfer coefficient can be obtained by integrating these items in the calculation process. In these expressions, d is the diameter of the fluid and v is the propagation velocity.
