Analysis of Flow Patterns in High‐Gravity Equipment Using Gamma‐Ray Computed Tomography

Abstract

The capacity of today's gas‐liquid contacting equipment such as tray or packed columns is limited by the gravitational‐driven liquid flow. Intensified equipment applying centrifugal force offers great potential for enhancing the mass transfer and for reducing equipment size. Yet, detailed knowledge about the liquid flow inside rotating packings is scarce due to limited accessibility with conventional measurement systems. In this study, a gamma‐ray computed tomography is employed to quantify the liquid hold‐up and its distribution in the moving packing.

Towards the Development of Advanced Packing Design for Distillation in Rotating Packed Beds

“…These results clearly indicate a trade‐off between contacting time or liquid holdup in the packing and effective interfacial area as previously analyzed by Qammar et al . This trade‐off is further observed during the liquid holdup measurements using γ ‐ray tomography by Gross et al , who clearly documented the decreasing liquid holdup in the packing with increasing rotational speed as well as increasing the radial depth of the packing .…”

Scale-Up of the Radial Packing Length in Rotating Packed Beds for Deaeration Processes

“…Besides early visual studies by Burns and Ramshaw, more detailed CT imaging performed by Groß et al recently confirmed that especially at higher rotational speeds the tangential liquid distribution in isotropic packings is prone to maldistribution . An increased maldistribution can significantly deteriorate gas–liquid contact.…”

Recent Advances in Experimental Techniques for Flow and Mass Transfer Analyses in Thermal Separation Systems

“…The generated data allows for the identification of operational limitations as well as the reasons for and degrees of maldistribution, as further described in an article of Groß et al. . This information is essential for designing and optimizing the structure of the packing in the RPB.…”