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Novel insights into the liquid distribution in structured packings
Publikationstyp
Conference Presentation
Date Issued
2025-02-04
Sprache
English
Citation
Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppe Fluidverfahrenstechnik 2025
Contribution to Conference
Structured packings as internals in thermal separation processes, such as absorption
and distillation, are of imminent importance for fluid dynamics and mass transfer. By
increasing the interfacial area between the different phases mass transfer is improved,
potentially reducing the energy demands of these energy-intensive processes. One
important aspect to ensure the optimal performance of structured packings in gas
liquid separation processes is achieving a homogeneous liquid distribution.
Maldistribution can significantly decrease the overall separation efficiency of the
column. Therefore, liquid collector and distributors are implemented inside packed
columns, and the appropriate distributor design is essential for improved contacting of
the phases.
Within this contribution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements and
integral experiments are used to evaluate and compare the impact of four distributor
designs in respect to the homogeneity of the water and air distribution within a column
with an inner diameter of 54 mm. MRI-compatible distributor designs driven by gravity
or capillary forces are designed and produced by additive manufacturing. In the integral
experiments, a 3D-printed collector with thirteen compartments was attached to the
bottom of the column to measure the radial and transversal liquid distribution. In
addition to the distributor design, the number of 3D-printed corrugated sheet packings
(480 m2/m3) and the liquid and gas loadings are varied as further influencing factors.
For the distributor design with the lowest maldistribution factor, liquid and gas
distribution inside the column are measured using MRI, assuming stationary flow. The
size and vertical orientation of the 3 Tesla MRI system used enables the
measurements of sample heights spanning several meters, allowing structured
packing heights of one meter or more. The MRI non-invasive measurements enable
the estimation of the interfacial area between the phases, as they allow for
differentiation between the liquid, gas, and packing material. This contribution aims to
show the potential and limitations of MRI in investigating processes in chemical
engineering.
and distillation, are of imminent importance for fluid dynamics and mass transfer. By
increasing the interfacial area between the different phases mass transfer is improved,
potentially reducing the energy demands of these energy-intensive processes. One
important aspect to ensure the optimal performance of structured packings in gas
liquid separation processes is achieving a homogeneous liquid distribution.
Maldistribution can significantly decrease the overall separation efficiency of the
column. Therefore, liquid collector and distributors are implemented inside packed
columns, and the appropriate distributor design is essential for improved contacting of
the phases.
Within this contribution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements and
integral experiments are used to evaluate and compare the impact of four distributor
designs in respect to the homogeneity of the water and air distribution within a column
with an inner diameter of 54 mm. MRI-compatible distributor designs driven by gravity
or capillary forces are designed and produced by additive manufacturing. In the integral
experiments, a 3D-printed collector with thirteen compartments was attached to the
bottom of the column to measure the radial and transversal liquid distribution. In
addition to the distributor design, the number of 3D-printed corrugated sheet packings
(480 m2/m3) and the liquid and gas loadings are varied as further influencing factors.
For the distributor design with the lowest maldistribution factor, liquid and gas
distribution inside the column are measured using MRI, assuming stationary flow. The
size and vertical orientation of the 3 Tesla MRI system used enables the
measurements of sample heights spanning several meters, allowing structured
packing heights of one meter or more. The MRI non-invasive measurements enable
the estimation of the interfacial area between the phases, as they allow for
differentiation between the liquid, gas, and packing material. This contribution aims to
show the potential and limitations of MRI in investigating processes in chemical
engineering.
Subjects
Trickle bed
Liquid distributor
Magentic resonance imaging
Integral experiments
Liquid distribution
DDC Class
620: Engineering