Gas–Liquid Sensible Heat Transfer in Spray and Packed Bed under a Centrifugal Field

Abstract

Sensible heat transfer rates between a heated liquid (dibutyl phthalate) and an air stream in direct contact have been studied in different contactor configurations (spray, spray with liquid redistribution, and packed bed) wherein the liquid flows under the influence of centrifugal force rather than terrestrial gravity as in traditional equipments. Experiments were carried out by contacting the phases counter-currently between two coaxial circular rotating disks. The cooling range of the liquid in these contactors was obtained by varying mass flux of liquid and air, and the rotational speed between 0.35 and 0.67 kg/m2·s, 0.26 and 0.52 kg/m2·s, and 300 and 900 rpm, respectively. The cooling range in the spray mode of operation increased with rotational speed. The ratio of the cooling range obtained in rotating packed bed and spray operation decreased at higher rotational speed (other conditions remaining same). Below a critical rotational speed, the cooling range in spray operation could be further extende...