A method for contacting large volumes of gas and liquid together on a microscopic
scale for mass transfer or transport processes wherein the contact between liquid
and gas occurs at the interfaces of a multitude of gas bubbles. Multiple porous
tubes assembled in a bundle inside a pressure vessel terminate at each end in a
tube sheet. A thin film helical liquid flow is introduced into the inside of each
porous tube around and along its inside wall. Gas is sparged into the porous media
and the liquid film so that an annular two phase flow with a uniform distribution
of tiny gas bubbles results. The gas flow is segregated from the liquid flow without
first passing through the porous media and through the liquid film. Nozzles at
the lower end of the tubes divert liquid flow to a vessel and redirect the gas
flow in a countercurrent direction.
