Publication Date:
2012-01-06
Description:
Physical 3D models were established for corrugated packing used in the enrichment of the isotope 13 C. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results indicated that common corrugated packing was not well wetted when used for isotope distillation. It is concluded that liquid misdistribution in the packed tower results from the structure of the packing rather than from the height of the packing beds. The existence of entrainment was also demonstrated by CFD simulation. It is proved that mass transfer equations based on the Nusselt theory are not suitable for distillation calculation in such a corrugated packing system. By comparison, the recently developed structured packing model with a corrugation geometry based on the right-angled triangle, known as Zigzag-pak, describes vapor-liquid distribution properties well and has significant advantages over common corrugated packing due to its better liquid distribution character. The two-phase flow in the narrow channels of corrugated packing was determined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. On this basis, the Zigzag-pak as a new type of corrugated packing was developed. Considering its prominent advantages in vapor-liquid intensification and high efficiency in mass transfer, the Zigzag-pak could replace common corrugated packing in chemical engineering.
Print ISSN:
0930-7516
Electronic ISSN:
1521-4125
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
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