Multiphase systems are a reality in the chemical and biochemical industry and are used in abundance. The hydrodynamic interaction of the phases in such systems is complex and affects their performance. A better understanding of the hydrodynamics is critical for improving the efficiency of such systems. Tomography has been successfully employed as tool to image phase holdup distribution of multiphase systems. Most of the tomography methods (gamma ray, x ray and electrical capacitance and resistance) are successful in imaging dynamic systems with two phases (gas-liquid and liquid-solid or gas-solid) or have been extended to gas-liquid-solid (GLS) systems where the solid is stationary. However, a significant number of chemical and biochemical systems have dynamic three phases. Research effort directed towards development of tomography techniques for measuring phase holdup distribution in three phase systems has met with limited success.

A novel a Dual Source Computer Tomography (DSCT) technique that uses gamma ray photons from 137Cs and 60Co isotopes to measure phase holdup distribution in dynamic three phase systems was developed. An advance algorithm for image reconstruction was developed such that it provides accurate phase holdup distribution images. This technique was used to determine the phase holdup distribution is Slurry Bubble Column (SBC) consisting of dynamic gas liquid and solid phases. Details of the DSCT technique and the results of the phase holdup distribution studies in the SBC will be discussed.

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