Modifications to Structured Packings to Increase Their Capacity
The hydraulic performance of structured packed columns is characterized by parameters such as loading point, flooding point, and dry and wet pressure-drop. These parameters can be positively influenced by optimizing the transition areas between two adjacent packing layers. Tests have been done in a two-phase test rig with a rectangular column made of perspex. The test medium is a liquid hydrocarbon in counterflow to saturated nitrogen gas. The performance of different packing structures at the layer-to-layer transition zone and the addition of vane-type elements between two packing layers was evaluated. Several packing modifications were tested and the results were compared with those of a non-modified packing. The intentions of this work are: to rank the modifications of structured packings with respect to the achieved capacity increase; to determine whether flooding is initiated in the core of the corrugated packing or in the transition area in spite of the modifications made on the lower or top side of the packing sheets; and to find out how the loading point is influenced by the modifications.
Hold-up of mellapak structured packings
Abstract The liquid hold-up of three structured packings (Mellapak 250.X, 250.Y and 500.Y) was measured with a gamma ray absorption technique using the air/water system. The results agree well with other experimental data available from the literature. A correlation was derived to calculate the hold-up as a function of liquid load, liquid viscosity and specific surface area of the packing.
Application of modern packings in thermal separation processes
A report is presented on the performance of modern dumped and structured packings for application in the field of thermal separation processes. The evaluation of the results is based on extensive experimental investigations of rectification, absorption, and desorption systems. The following are indicated: the efficiency in terms of the number of theoretical stages per unit height or in terms of the height of transfer unit or volumetric mass transfer coefficient, the pressure drop per unit height as well as per theoretical stage or per gas phase transfer unit, and the liquid hold-up, whereby either the gas capacity factor or the liquid load was adopted as influencing parameter, and finally the maximum gas capacity factor as a function of the flow parameter. The results are presented in diagrams and tables.