Author Index of Volume 116

Abstract

Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in packed columns and porous media is considered here. The major thrust is on the prediction of the frictional pressure gradient required to sustain the flow of a fluid of known properties (density, viscosity, power-law constants) through a packed column of given voidage and particle size. The chapter begins with the definition of permeability (Darcy’s Law), porosity, specific surface area, etc. The flow-in-tube analogy is used to described the flow in the tortuous passages present in a packed column. This treatment is then extended empirically to span the viscous (low Reynold number) and interial (high Reynold number) flow regimes for both Newtonian and power-law fluids. Limited consideration is also given to the effects of molecular flow and to the additional effects arising from the wall effects when the surface area of the column cannot be neglected as compared to that of the packings. Similarly, some elementary ideas about dispersion and heat transfer in packed columns are also presented. Finally, the chapter is concluded by presenting typical characteristics of different types of packings, pressure drop and flooding characteristics in packed columns.