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.
Development of a New Generation of Structured Packings for Distillation
It is shown how a very small modification to structured packing can result in a large increase in capacity. Various modifications are described, all of which cause a reduced resistance for vapour as it enters the base of each brick. In the experiments reported, a capacity increase of 30% was achieved for air-water and 15% for cryogenic distillation. The results of this investigation have been used as the basis for commercialization of a new generation of structured packings for distillation having increased capacity.
Representation of systems disturbed by wide band noise
In this paper, a method of handling and working with wide band noise is developed. We represent wide band noise as a distributed delay of white noise and use it to reduce a nonlinear system disturbed by wide band noise to a nonlinear system disturbed by white noise. An application of this reduction to a nonlinear filtering problem under a wide band noise disturbance is discussed.