Design and optimisation of structural packings for rotating bed absorbers using computational fluid dynamics simulation

Abstract

A method for pressure drop prediction using Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was designed and validated experimentally with a set of baffle-based geometry types of Rotating Packed Bed’s packings. The methodology served as a foundation for a CFD optimisation tool of internal geometry based on minimal pressure drop. The baffles in the geometry were characterized by five parameters: bottom and top internal rounding, bottom and top external rounding, and baffle inclination angle. Based on the variables, 78 different geometry types were created and subjected to pressure drop optimisation with the CFD tool. The optimal geometry was manufactured, and the simulation results were verified experimentally. Up to 54% decrease in pressure drop was observed in comparison to the pre-optimisation packing. Mass transfer experiments were conducted with the use of CO2-NaOH absorption system, and results showed that the optimised packing, despite exhibiting less pressure drop, is capable of achieving up to 17% increase in effective mass transfer area.