Progress Towards a Comprehensive Model for Mass Transfer in Structured Packings

Abstract

Significant effort has been devoted to the study of mass transfer in sheet metal structured packings over the past half century. A number of mass transfer correlations have appeared in the literature as a result of those efforts. Unfortunately no one of these correlations has shown itself to be reliable over the full range of chemical systems, column operating conditions, and packing topologies encountered today. In an attempt to rectify some of the shortcomings of earlier correlations for sheet metal structured packings we have employed a new data analysis methodology which simultaneously fits 〈HETP〉 data and mass transfer area data. The correlation we report upon here includes 444 〈HETP〉 values from a variety of systems, operating pressures, and packing designs, along with 409 mass transfer area measurements. We demonstrate that this correlation outperforms all others while remaining simple enough to implement in process simulation software.

Progress Toward a Comprehensive Model for Mass Transfer in Structured Packings

“…Sheet metal structured packing ⟨HETP⟩ values for binary systems measured at total reflux are surprisingly well-described by simple expressions like the correlation of Harrison and France and Kister for “Y” style structured packings. − Those relationships between ⟨HETP⟩ and dry packing surface area per unit volume have been found to predict ⟨HETP⟩ values to within ±30% on average regardless of system, column pressure, and details of the surface topology of the packing. Other slightly more complex rules yield ⟨HETP⟩ estimates with somewhat improved levels of uncertainty. − Cmelíková et al discuss the aforementioned findings in-depth …”