THE RELATION BETWEEN WETTING EFFICIENCY AND LIQUID HOLDUP IN PACKED COLUMNS

Liquid holdup and wetting efficiency in packed columns were determined using a tracer method. A new model was developed considering axial dispersion, and analysis was made using the moment technique. The saturated solution of KG was used as an inert tracer and total liquid holdups were determined in the first part of experiments. As an adsorbable tracer, dioxane was utilized in the second part of the work and wetting efficiencies were obtained. Adsorption equilibrium constant was determined by the experiments conducted in a liquid full bed. A model proposed between liquid holdup and wetting efficiency gave good agreement with the experimental results. Axial dispersion effects were also taken into account during the work. It was also shown that axial dispersion of liquid phase should be considered especially in the small scale trickle bed reactors. @KEYWORDS:Packed beds,Wetting efficiency,Liquid holdup,Tracer method,Moment technique,Trickle bed reactors.