Enhancement of devolatilization performance in a rotating packed bed with different packing structures

Abstract

• The 3D-printed mesh packing with drop-shaped fibers (PMP-D) was manufactured. • The PMP-D was employed to enhance the devolatilization performance in RPB. • Compared with traditional SMP, the η and K L a of PMP-D was drastically improved. • Correlations to predict K L a were established with deviations less than ±20%. The devolatilization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the viscous liquid like polymers was necessary but of great challenge caused by the high viscosity. In this work, different packing structures were manufactured in a rotating packed bed (RPB), including the stainless steel wire mesh packing (SMP), 3D-printed column packing (PCP), 3D-printed mesh packing with circular fibers (PMP-C), and 3D-printed mesh packing with drop-shaped fibers (PMP-D). The devolatilization performance of the RPB was investigated with the acetone-silicon oil working system. Results indicated that modifying the fiber shape of packing effectively intensified the devolatilization in the RPB. The removal efficiency ( η ) and volumetric mass transfer coefficient ( K L a ) of the PMP-D were dramatically larger than the other three packings. Compared the PMP-D with the traditional SMP, the maximum η was enhanced from 40% to 50%, and the increment of K L a was 50% on average. The correlations to predict K L a were established, and the deviations from the experimental results were less than ± 20%.