INFLUENCE OF INITIAL LIQUID DISTRIBUTION ON MASS TRANSFER IN PACKED BEDS

1 INTRODUCTIONA major problem in the design of packed columns is dimensioning the liquid distributor.Thenumber of outlets is an important factor,because it governs the quality of the liquiddistribution at the inlet cross-section and thus the extent to which the packing is Wetted.Thehigher the degree of wetting and thus the greater the area of phase contact,the more efficientthe mass and heat transfer within the bed of packing.

INFLUENCE OF INITIAL LIQUID DISTRIBUTION ON MASS TRANSFER IN PACKED BEDS

Experience from experimental studies shows that the efficiency of a column packing depends considerably on liquid flow management at the top of the column. Therefore, attention must be drawn to the need for a proper liquid distribution design in order to obtain good operation of the packed bed. The choice of the liquid distribution system depends on the geometry of the selected packings and on the operating conditions. One of the main parameters which determines the operation of the distribution and its influence on bed efficiency is the number of liquid feeders. Extensive systematic investigations were carried out under absorption, desorption and rectification conditions in beds of different dumped and regular packings, applying distributors with varying numbers of liquid outlets. The evaluations and modelling of the experimental results led to the determination of the proper number of feeder points, which mainly depends on the packing geometry represented by its open area and void fraction. The main results are shown in the form of diagrams and equations.