On the Phases’ Distribution in Packed Columns

Abstract

Packed columns are typical apparatuses for industrial separation processes which are important in fuel and energy production and reduction of harmful emissions in the atmosphere. The efficiency of the processes in them is strongly dependent on the regular distribution of phases. The liquid and gas maldistribution has been the subject of long intensive investigations. The formation of a liquid wall flow has been found to be one of the main factors for the large-scale radial irregularity of liquid and gas distribution. The prediction and control of this phenomenon is still unsatisfactory. Our work suggests a new approach for evaluation of the wall flow in countercurrent absorption with random packings. It uses simple mathematical apparatus and is based on experimental data of the wall flow along the column height. It allows gaining knowledge about the liquid flow and evaluating the wall flow volume as a criterion of efficiency for comparison of packings. The model is demonstrated by a case study with data for metal Pall rings.