| Abstract: | Studies carried out on the absorption of hexane from inert carrier gases into paraffin oil have shown that mass transfer can affect flow characteristics in unstable vertical two-phase flow. In the absence of mass transfer chain-flow patterns prevailed. These patterns were broken when mass transfer took place from the gas to the liquid phase. Bullet shaped slugs were then formed, the slugs pairing and coalescing as they rose up the column. The direction of mass transfer was critical no effect on flow pattern being observed when mass transfer took place from the liquid to the gas phase. Slug frequencies and slug sizes were found to be influenced by mass transfer and an effect of overall absorber length was observed. Individual slug sizes and separation distances were measured and varied widely even under constant flow conditions. Rise velocities were correlated using an equation of the form:where C2 was a function of the fluid flow-rates and system physical-properties. |
