Gas‐Liquid mass transfer in fixed‐bed reactors with cocurrent downflow operating in the pulsing flow regime

Abstract

AbstractLiquid‐side mass transfer coefficients were measured for cocurrent two‐phase downflow in 5 and 10 cm diameter columns pakced with 2.5 and 4 mm Raschig rings. Experiments were specifically carried out in the pulsing flow regime. The mass transfer coefficients were determined via absorption of CO2 into buffer solutions with the advantage of a high absorbing capacity. Thus columns of 1 m length could be used. Relations are proposed based on the hydrodynamic phenomena observed in pulsing flow. From these relations a correlation for kL is found in terms of flow rates and packing characteristics that satisfies the experimental data.