Gas Flow Distribution in Packed Columns 2002 Chemical Engineering and Processing Process Intensification

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    Chemical Engineering and Processing 41 (2002) 385393

    Gas flow distribution in packed columnsRumen Darakchiev *, Chavdar Dodev

    Institute of Chemical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonche Street, Building 103, 1113Sofia, Bulgaria

    Received 4 April 2001; received in revised form 6 July 2001; accepted 6 July 2001

    Abstract

    The distribution of gas flow over the cross section of packed columns depends on the manner of gas flow feeding, on packing

    type, packing arrangement, and internal devices in the apparatus body. Various types of gas inlet devices are studied in order toestimate their ability for creation of uniform velocity profiles. The gas flow uniformity is characterized by the maldistribution

    factor, Mf. Various methods for measurement of gas velocity and for calculation of this factor are presented in the paper. Data

    for Mf from own experiments and from literature references are given along with detailed description of the particular

    experimental conditions. It is shown that any packing has its own non-uniformity that cannot be improved. For a number of

    packings, the limits of Mf are found. These values are used for determination of the penetration depth that ensures maximal

    uniformity of the gas flow provided by the particular packing. 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

    Keywords:Packed columns; Gas distributors; Gas flow distribution; Maldistribution factor; Depth of penetration

    www.elsevier.com/locate/cep

    1. Introduction

    Many design methods for packed column appara-

    tuses assume the existence of an ideal counter-current

    flow of gas and liquid phases in the packing layer. In

    reality, neither the liquid nor the gas follow the ideal

    plug-flow pattern. This is the reason for process deteri-

    oration and installation oversizing, which increases the

    expenses for column manufacture and operation.

    The liquid flow structure is improved by design of

    new distributors that create flows with high initial

    uniformity, by development of packings for redistribu-

    tion of the liquid flow, and by internal devices for

    elimination of the wall flow [1].Recently, the gas flow in packed columns is inten-

    sively studied in order to improve its uniform distribu-

    tion [213]. The research is focused mainly on the

    influence of packing height or layer pressure drop on

    the velocity profile [2,5 7,10 13]. The divergence of

    flow from the ideal uniformity is characterized by the

    maldistribution factor, Mf [2,5,6,8,11,13,14]. When in-

    crease the packing height, this factor tends to a fixed

    value. It is specific for each packing and depends on a

    number of parameters, mainly on the packing type and

    arrangement [2,9,12,13,15]. The bed height that ensures

    maximal uniformity, possible to be attained with this

    type of packing, is called penetration depth [8].

    The uniformity of a gas flow depends on the manner

    of its feeding in the apparatus and in the packing layer

    [2,3,5,6]. The initial distribution is particularly impor-

    tant in case of technological processes that do not need

    beds higher than the penetration depth of the used

    packing. It is valid especially for high efficient and low

    pressure drop packings. Most of the modern packings

    are of this type. The investigations are focused on the

    rate of uniformity created by various types of gas inletsor specially designed distribution devices [2 5,13,16].

    A number of papers have reported that the velocity

    of gas flow does not affect significantly its distribution

    over the cross-section [2,3,6,11,13,17]. However, inlets

    with high initial irregularity can provide faster equaliza-

    tion of the velocity profile at lower velocities.

    2. Gas inlet devices

    The gas flow in packed columns depends on the

    manner of its feeding and on apparatus internals, in-

    cluding the type of packing and its arrangement.

    * Corresponding author. Tel.: +359-2-979-3227; fax: +359-2-

    707523.E-mail address:[email protected] (R. Darakchiev).

    0255-2701/02/$ - see front matter 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

    PII: S 0 2 5 5 - 2 7 0 1 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 1 5 1 - 9

    mailto:[email protected]
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    The manner of gas flow feeding is essential for the

    initial irregularity that has to be improved in the ap-

    paratus. The irregularity is due to the jet-type flow

    before the packing layer. Larger difference between the

    dynamic pressure in inlet pipe and in column body

    creates more irregular flow. Of importance for flow

    uniformity is the direction of feeding, as well as the

    possibility to supply uniform circular feeding over the

    cross-section ensured by local resistance or by otherappropriate methods of feeding towards solid wall or

    water mirror.

    The most common type of gas inlets are straight

    inlets in lower part of the column below the supporting

    grid that only cross the wall; and straight inlets that

    penetrate at a certain distance L in the column body

    towards the column axis (Fig. 1a). It is found that L

    does not affect the initial gas distribution [2]. More

    important is the distance between the inlet pipe and

    packing layer. When it is smaller than (0.15/0.18)D,

    back gas flows are formed in the packing near to the

    inlet [7,18]. They increase the initial irregularity of the

    gas flow.

    Feeding devices of type slope inlet (Fig. 1b), which

    are expected to direct the gas towards the liquid mirror,

    do not represent a successful solution. The flow reflects

    from the opposite column wall and creates similar

    maldistribution as in above case. This behavior hasbeen registered in our study [6] as well as by other

    authors [2].

    When the inlet feeds the gas at the axis in downward

    direction towards the lower column end or towards the

    liquid mirror (bend inlet, Fig. 1c), significant improve-

    ment of the initial irregularity is obtained [2,6].

    The best initial uniformity is obtained with circular

    inlets where the gas enters in radial or tangential direc-

    tion through orifices of special shape [4,13]. A distribu-

    Fig. 1. Various types of gas inlets (GI): (a) straight inlet (GI 1); (b) slope inlet (GI 2); (c) bend inlet (GI 3); (d) circular inlet (GI 4); 1 gas

    distributing latticeVariant Ione lattice (GI 4-I, circular gas inlet with one lattice); Variant IItwo lattices (GI 4-II, circular gas inlet withtwo lattices); 2supporting grid; 3annular chamber; 4packed bed.

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    Fig. 2. Arrangement of measuring points.

    methods [1,2,57,913]. Because of difficult measure-

    ments in two-phase flow, the results are mainly in the

    absence of liquid phase. However, it is known [9,11]

    that under the loading point where packed columns

    normally operate, the liquid phase is uniformly dis-

    tributed and does not affect the gas flow distribution.

    For this reason, single flow thermoanemometry results

    are assumed to be reliable. When the velocity is over

    the loading point, the friction forces between the liquidand gas flows increase, the liquid velocity profiles be-

    come more irregular, liquid hold-up increases and the

    free area of various packing zones changes. These fac-

    tors influence the velocity profile and gas flow

    distribution.

    Thermoanemometry methods measure the velocity in

    points over the packing layer. It can be supposed that

    the registered profile does not coincide with the profile

    in the layer [20]. Moreover, the last one or two packing

    rows strongly influence over-the-layer profile [1720].

    We have not found in the literature information about

    the errors due to above factors. There are methods forvelocity measurements in the packing, but in this case

    the gas flow is disturbed by the measuring probe, and

    the results are not very correct. These methods are used

    with random packings and are not applicable for struc-

    tured packings. The velocity over the packing can also

    be measured by pneumatic probes and LaserDoppler

    anemometry. The last method is the most precise and

    applicable in the presence of liquid flow, however the

    necessary experimental equipment is very sophisticated.

    A number of arrangements are used for local velocity

    measurements. For example, the apparatus cross-sec-tion is divided in cells with equal surface, and the

    velocity is measured in the cell center (Fig. 2a). Another

    arrangement is division in coaxial ring sectors with

    equal surface. The velocity is measured in different

    points on the median of ring sectors (Fig. 2b). The use

    of cells with equal surface leads to the most popular

    expression for Mf [2]

    Mf=1

    nn

    wiw0w0

    2(3)

    where n is the number of measuring points.

    The gas velocity measurements are strongly depen-dent on the distance between the packing layer and

    thermoanemometric sensor. The velocity profile be-

    comes more uniform at larger distance and the corre-

    sponding results supply rather qualitative picture,

    different from the real situation. The place of measure-

    ment over the cross-section is also of importance. The

    walls of the packing elements divide the cross-section in

    cells, and the velocity changes from zero over the wall

    till certain maximal value inside the cell. However, in

    usual practice the measuring points are arranged ac-

    cording to a prefixed scheme not accounting for the

    type and form of the layer beneath (Fig. 2a [12] and

    tor of this type is studied in our paper [5]. The gas is fed

    in an annular chamber (3) with distributing lattice (1) at

    the inlet level (Fig. 1d). Two modifications of the gas

    distributing lattice have been studied: (1) a single metal

    plate with uniform perforation supplying free area of

    25% (GI 4-I) and (2) the lattice is formed by two grids

    as above placed at 100 mm distance (GI 4-II) (as shown

    at the figure). The lattice resistance equalizes the flow

    velocity and creates better flow distribution before its

    entry in the packed bed.

    3. Maldistribution factor

    The gasflowing through the packing is not uniformly

    distributed over the cross-section. This irregularity can

    be estimated by the ratio of maximal and superficial

    velocity wmax/w0. However, this is a point value, which

    is not representative for the whole cross-section. It doesnot give a picture of the real distribution, especially

    when the velocity is maximal over a small surface only.

    The non-uniform velocity distribution over the cross-

    section can be characterized by the Mf. It is a quantity

    that integrates the surface and its corresponding veloc-

    ity [8,14]

    Mf=1

    F0

    F00

    wiw0w0

    2dF (1)

    where F0 is total column cross-section; wi, the flow

    velocity in point i; w0, mean velocity defined as

    w0=1

    F0

    F00

    widF (2)

    In case of uniform distribution, the value of this

    factor is zero.

    There are other mathematical expressions for Mf that

    result in determination of different values [13,19]. In all

    cases, the expressions consider the flow distribution

    over the entire cross-section.

    The experimental determination of Mf is done by

    measurements of local velocity in various points of the

    cross-section. Most practiced are thermoanemometry

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    Fig. 3. Variation of the Mf along the height of honeycomb packing.

    Fig. 4. Sketch of the studied honeycomb packings: (a) ceramic block

    packing with vertical walls and (b) ceramic block packing with

    inclined walls.

    Fig. 2b [2]). For this reason the corresponding results

    are of accidental type.It is clear that there is no unified method for gas

    velocity measurements. Additionally, different expres-

    sions for determination of Mf are used and each pack-

    ing is characterized by its own Mf. It can be concluded

    that the value of Mf cannot be considered as a unique

    criterion for comparison. The estimation of gas distri-

    bution uniformity over the cross-section for each par-

    ticular case has to take into account the type of

    packing, height of the layer, the manner of gas feeding,

    the method of velocity measurement, and the method

    for calculation of Mf.

    4. Uniformity limit

    The uniformity limit is a certain sufficient rate of

    uniform distribution that can be really attained by

    particular packing. The determination of its value de-

    pends upon the process, design efficiency, and cost/per-

    formance penalties for the column [8]. In the best case,

    this rate of flow regularity will be the same as the

    internal irregularity created by the packing.

    Inlet devices always create initial non-uniform distri-bution of the gas flow before its entrance in the packing

    layer. This irregularity is reduced along the bed height

    due to the pressure drop and to redistribution proper-

    ties of the layer. Although this equalizing action, some

    non-uniformity of the gas flow always exists. It is due

    to the fact that the packing itself creates some irregular-

    ity over the cross-section even in case of initial uniform

    distribution of the gas flow. The rate of irregularity is

    specific and depends mainly on the type of packing.

    The packing height necessary to attain this minimal

    irregularity depends on the initial distribution (type and

    dimensions of inlet device), on column diameter (D), as

    well as on packing pressure drop. In case of more

    uniform initial distribution, lower height is necessary to

    attain the internal irregularity specific for the particular

    packing.

    Some references [2,9,1113] report internal maldistri-

    bution data for a number of packings used in practice.

    Here we present our investigations in the field. Fig. 3

    shows results for the Mf of two ceramic block packings

    of honeycomb type with vertical walls. The main pack-

    ing dimensions are given in Table 1. A sketch of the

    packing is seen on Fig. 4a. The velocity profile has been

    measured thermoanemometrically in the absence of liq-

    uid phase.Fig. 3 represents the Mf along the packing height for

    superficial velocity 2 and 2.5 m/s and for two types of

    inlets. The D is 0.47 m. Curve 1 refers to honeycomb

    Table 1

    Main parameters of the ceramic honeycomb packing

    Packing s1 (mm) () d (mm) 1 (% m3/m3)hp (mm) a (m

    2/m3)

    3.5210 134Honeycomb no. 1 66 0.72

    96Honeycomb no. 2 0 6127 3.5 0.75

    0.811273.54924 27Honeycombinclined walls

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    packing no. 1 at both velocities and inlet 3 (GI 3). The

    packing is 0.26 m high. The values of Mf (Eq. (3)) at

    height levelH=0 m are obtained by measuring velocity

    profile on two diameters (parallel and perpendicular to

    the inlet axis). For determination of gas distribution

    over the packing layer, maximal local velocities have

    been measured immediately (25 mm) over the holes of

    the packing elements (Fig. 4). The results for heights

    0.26 and 1.2 m are obtained by measurements on twoperpendicular diameters, while for 0.8 and 1.6 m mea-

    surements are taken at each hole of the cross-section.

    The packed bed with height, H=1.6 m consists of two

    layers1.2 m basic layer of honeycomb packing no. 1

    and 0.4 m distribution layer for the liquid flow made of

    honeycomb packing with inclined walls (Fig. 4b) [1]. A

    tendency for approaching a value of Mf=0.17 is

    clearly seen.

    Gas distribution in honeycomb packing no. 2 is

    studied using inlet GI 3 and two versions of inlet GI 4.

    For inlet GI 4 the value of Mf tends to 0.11. With inlet

    GI 4-II this value is already attained with 0.7 m pack-

    ing. It is due to the higher pressure drop of two grids

    that causes more regular flow distribution. The experi-

    mental results for inlet GI 3 show higher values of Mf.In this case, the bed with height 1.6 m is composed

    analogously to packing no. 1. Evidently, the specific

    structure of redistribution layer increases flow non-uni-

    formity. The results for height 1.2 m are obtained by

    measurements on two perpendicular diameters only,

    and some flow non-uniformity is possibly not regis-

    tered. However, the tendency for approaching the char-

    acteristic value of internal maldistribution for the

    particular packing is clearly seen.

    Fig. 5 shows the velocity profile with inlet GI 4-II for

    gas velocity w=2 m/s and packing height 1.5 m.

    The Mf in a rectangular industrial apparatus withcross-section 1.61 m2 is shown also in Fig. 3 (point +).

    This apparatus is used for cooling offlue gases from a

    steam boiler by direct contact with water. The inlet is of

    straight type with cross-section 25% of apparatus cross-

    section. The measurements are taken at mean flow

    velocity 2.8 m/s with 1.2 m layer of honeycomb packing

    no. 2 and redistribution layer of 0.4 m. The sample

    points are arranged in rectangular grid pattern, and

    maximal local velocity values are measured immediately

    after the holes of the packing elements. There is a good

    similarity with results for D=0.47 m. The correspond-ing velocity profile is illustrated in Fig. 6.

    For packing no. 2, the value of Mf is about 0.10

    0.11. The redistribution layer of packing no. 1 hinders

    to determine the corresponding Mf value, expected to

    be lower than 0.17.

    Have been also investigated the influence of bed

    pressure drop on Mf for packing made of expanded

    metal sheets (Holpack) [7]. The sheets are arranged

    horizontally in the column (Fig. 7). Each sheet is turned

    at 90 clockwise with respect to the preceding sheet. A

    sketch of this packing is given in Fig. 8. The main

    dimensions and notifications are shown in Table 2. Thepacking with smaller size of holes and lower inter-sheet

    distance, causing radial spreading, evidently creates

    more uniform flow.

    5. Maldistribution factor of various packings

    Table 3 collects data for Mf of various packings

    obtained by us and other authors.

    As it was mentioned, the Mf of ceramic block honey-

    comb packing is determined by measuring maximal

    local velocity in each hole of the packing elements. We

    Fig. 5. Three-dimensional picture of gas velocity profile over the bed

    of honeycomb packing no. 2. Bed height 1.5 m, gas inlet GI 4-II,

    superficial velocity w=2 m/s. Arrow represents the direction of

    incoming gas flow.

    Fig. 6. Three-dimensional picture of gas velocity profile over the

    composed bed of honeycomb packing no. 2 with height 1.2 m and

    redistribution layer with height 0.4 m. Arrow represents the directionof incoming gas flow. Industrial experiment.

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    Fig. 7. Mf of Holpack (expanded sheet metal horizontal packing asdepending on packing) pressure drop.

    w0 takes the mean value of the measured maximal local

    velocities. The results for two honeycomb packings

    with inlet GI 3 (Fig. 1c) are worse due to the presence

    of redistribution layer.

    The results for Holpack and for plastic Pall rings

    [7,10] are obtained by velocity measurements on two

    perpendicular diameters at 5080 mm over the bed.

    They should not characterize the internal packing

    maldistribution and should be used only for qualitativeestimation of flow non-uniformity because the sample

    points cover too small part of the entire cross-section.

    Stikkelman and Wesselingh [12] have reported the

    values of Mf for Intallox saddles, Mellapak 250Y, and

    plastic packing BX obtained by thermoanemometry in

    presence of countercurrent liquid phase flow. The mea-

    surements are taken over the liquid distributor in a

    specially designed sampling device shown on Fig. 2a.

    These values are not comparable to other data because

    both the distributor and sampling device equalize addi-

    tionally the gas velocity profile. Also, the Mf is calcu-

    lated by the relation for standard deviation

    Mf=1

    nn

    (wiw0)2 (4)

    Kouri and Sohlo [11] have studied gas distribution in

    beds of Pall rings and plastic packing BX with various

    bed heights. They have reported results for single gas

    phase and with liquid flow irrigated at various

    flowrates. The gas velocity has been measured in a

    special sampling device over the distributor. Beds of 1,

    2, and 3 m height have been studied with gas flow

    already uniformly distributed over the cross-sectionbefore its entry in the bed (inlet regular distribution

    (RD)). The velocity has been measured following a

    scheme similar to that of Fig. 2b, however the ring

    sections do not have equal area and the expression for

    Mf is

    Mf=1

    F0n

    Fiwiw0

    w0

    2(5)

    The above authors have not registered visible influ-

    ence of gas velocity and packing height on the Mf.

    However, it should be mentioned that in their experi-

    ments the layers are thicker than the bed height neces-sary to equalize the velocity profile. Regarding Pall

    rings of 50 mm, the value of Mf=0.085 is a mean value

    for all three bed heights, various gas velocities and

    irrigation densities. No influence of the liquid flow rate

    on gas distribution is found.

    Yuan and Li [2] have reported data for Mf of Mella-

    pak 250Y obtained without liquid flow. Gas velocity is

    measured by a scheme analogous to that on Fig. 2b.

    The sample points are located on four diameters at the

    median of ring sections with equal area. The distance

    between the sensor and packing is not reported, thus

    the influence of packing structure and eventual addi-

    Fig. 8. Sketch of expanded metal sheet packing.

    think this method gives a real picture of gas distribu-

    tion in the packing layer, which is better than measure-

    ments at regularly distributed points not following the

    packing structure. Also, the thermoanemometric sensor

    placed closer over the packing holes gives the real

    velocity values in the upper part of the packing layer.

    The Mf is calculated by the Eq. (3) where the velocity

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    tional equalization could not be estimated. Addition-

    ally, due to the low number of sample points (32 for a

    column 1 m in diameter) it seems possible to omit

    significant disturbances in the velocity profile.

    6. Penetration depth

    The penetration depth is defined as the packingheight at which the Mf value reaches the uniformity

    limit [8].

    Typical example for determination of penetration

    depth is shown on Fig. 9, representing the influence of

    packing height (Pall rings 16, 25, and 50 mm) on Mf

    [13]. Here Mf values are calculated by a different

    expression

    Mf=

    n

    1

    wi

    w0

    2(6)

    For this reason they are rather different from the

    other data given in this paper. Nevertheless, for a fixed

    flow uniformity necessary for successful technological

    operation of the apparatus, different penetration depths

    are obtained, i.e., the desired gas flow uniformity is

    provided by layers of different height depending on thepacking type.

    The penetration depth of honeycomb packing no. 1

    and 2 is about 1.6 m (Fig. 3). For Holpack packing no.

    1 (Table 2) it is about 0.3 m.

    It can be seen also from Fig. 3 that the penetration

    depth is strongly affected by the inlet device. For

    honeycomb packing no. 2 with inlet GI 4-II, the unifor-

    Table 2

    Main parameters of a packing element of expanded metal sheet

    h (mm)Symbol (Fig. 8) s (mm)Packing l (mm) (m2/m2) (mm)h1 (mm)

    7.0 22.2 3.0 0.8 0.87 Holpack 1 50

    17.8 90.0 11.0 3.0Holpack 2 0.900

    Holpack, expanded sheet metal horizontal packing.

    Table 3

    Mf for various types of packings

    H (m) GI deviceSymbol (Fig. 3) Velocity (m/s)Packing Mf SourceD (m)

    Own data0.1712.0GI 31.60.47Honeycomb 1ceramic

    2.5GI 31.6 0.1670.47Honeycomb 1ceramic Own data

    1.6 GI 3 2.0Honeycomb 2ceramic 0.136 Own data0.47

    Honeycomb 2ceramic 0.47 1.6 GI 3 2.5 0.171 Own data

    Honeycomb 2ceramic 0.47 1.5 GI 4-I 2.0 0.110 Own data

    0.47 Own data0.103Honeycomb 2ceramic 2.0 GI 4-II1.5

    Holpack 0.47 0.27 1.8GI 1 Darakchiev [7]0.180

    Pall rings 50 mmplastic Dodev and0.1502.3GI 10.80.47

    Darakchiev [10]

    0.5Pall rings 50 mmplastic 1.0/3.0 RD 1.55/2.0 0.085a Kouri and Sohlo

    [11]

    Pall rings 50 mmplastic 0.5 3.0 RD 1.67 0.077 Kouri and Sohlo

    [11]

    Pall rings 25 mmplastic 0.058 Kouri and SohloRD 1.673.00.5

    [11]

    Stikkelman and0.5 0.035Intalox saddles 25 mmceramic 3.0GI 11.0Wesselingh [12]

    0.032 Stikkelman and3.0GI 11.00.5Intalox saddles 25 mmplastic

    Wesselingh [12]

    3.0 0.048 Stikkelman andMellapak 250Ymetal 0.5 0.8 GI 1

    Wesselingh [12]

    0.8 GI 1 2.85 0.040 Yuan and Li [2]Mellapak 250Ymetal 1.0

    3.0 RDPlastic BX 1.67 0.045 Kouri and Sohlo0.5

    [11]

    0.8 GI 1 3.0 0.014 Stikkelman andPlastic BX 0.5

    Wesselingh [12]

    Own data0.1562.8Honeycomb 2ceramic (industrial GI 11.61.441.12+

    experiment)

    a Mean value of Mf for various bed heights, gas, and liquid velocities.

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    Fig. 9. Determination of penetration depth by the Mf for various Pall

    rings.

    In this study the Mf is determined for two ceramic

    honeycomb packings, horizontal packing of expanded

    metal sheets, and plastic Pall rings. The experiments

    with honeycomb packing in industrial scale column

    have confirmed the laboratory results. The results of

    other authors for Intallox saddles, Pall rings, Mella-

    pak 250 Y and Packing BX are presented along with

    the experimental conditions and the manner of data

    treatment. It gives the possibility for better data inter-pretation aiming at selection of most reliable results.

    It is also shown that the minimal value of Mf can be

    used as characteristic parameter for the internal pack-

    ing irregularity.

    The results obtained serve also for determination of

    the penetration depth that ensures maximal gas flow

    uniformity for the particular conditions.

    Appendix A. Nomenclature

    a specific surface of the packing (m2/m3)

    diameter of the circumference inscribed in thed

    packing hexagon hole (mm)

    D column diameter (m)

    F0 column cross-section (m2)

    Fi cross-section of the ith measuring element

    (m2)

    packed bed height (m)H

    h distance between expanded sheets (mm)

    hP height of a packing element (mm)

    h1 thickness of the expanded sheets (m)l length of holes in the expanded sheets (mm)

    L length of insertion of the gas inlet pipe into

    the column (mm)

    Mf maldistribution factor

    n number of measuring points

    pressure drop (Pa)p

    s width of holes in the expanded sheets (mm)

    wall thickness of the packing element (mm)s1w gas flow superficial velocity (m/s)

    wi local value of the gas flow velocity (m/s)

    wmax maximal value of the gas flow velocity (m/s)

    mean value of the velocity in a given cross-w0section (m/s)

    local coordinates (mm)x, y

    Greek symbols

    angle of inclination of the wall of the packing

    element ()

    thickness of sheet metal (mm)

    free cross-section of the expanded sheet metal

    packing (m2/m2)

    free volume of the Honeycomb packing (%1m3/m3)

    regular distributionRD

    mity is attained at penetration depth almost twice

    lower than that using other inlets (GI 4-I and GI 3).

    The results of Yuan and Li [2] are analogous. The

    penetration depth of packing Mellapak 250 Y de-

    pends strongly on the inlet. For inlet types GI 1/GI 3the uniformity is obtained at penetration depth 600

    800 mm, while with circular inlet the penetration

    depth is 300400 mm. If the particular technology

    does not require thicker bed for heat and mass trans-

    fer processes, apparatuses with significantly lower di-

    mensions and capital costs can be designed.

    7. Conclusion

    The comparison of different inlet devices shows

    that circular inlets create the most uniform distribu-tion of the gas flow before its feeding in the packing

    layer. The use of such type of distributors ensures an

    efficient process at reduced packing height and lower

    capital costs.

    It is shown that there is not a unified method for

    experimental determination of the gas flow distribu-

    tion over the cross-section of the packed columns.

    The same is valid for the Mf that characterizes the

    flow uniformity. For this reason, analyzing the avail-

    able results, it is necessary to take into account the

    particular experimental conditions and calculation ex-

    pressions used.

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