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7/24/2019 Gas Flow Distribution in Packed Columns 2002 Chemical Engineering and Processing Process Intensification
1/9
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
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R. Darakchie, C. Dode/ Chemical Engineering and Processing41 (2002) 385393386
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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R. Darakchie, C. Dode/ Chemical Engineering and Processing41 (2002) 385393 387
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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References
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