Hydraulic and mass transfer performances of a commercial hybrid packing: The RSP200X — Key modelling parameters for gas treatment applications

Abstract

The RSP200X, as one of the latest generation of Raschig’s structured packings (Raschig Super-Pak, RSP), has been investigated for use in scrubbing columns operating at high liquid loads where it could be particularly well adapted. These RSP packings offer a good potential for increasing capacity while maintaining mass transfer efficiencies at high levels. IFPEN has measured hydraulic and mass transfer performances in two columns of different diameters (146mm and 1000mm). Flooding limits were in agreement with literature, however at high liquid loads and for the tested X-Style RSP they were 30–40% lower than those calculated with the Winsorp Software delivered by Raschig. With the support of the present results a modified version of Winsorp has been elaborated for high liquid loads and X-Style RSP. In terms of mass transfer, the CO2/MDEA system was used to measure kLae while the classic CO2/NaOH and SO2/NaOH systems were used for ae and kGae measurements. The RSP200X was found to develop a high interfacial area compared to its geometric area. While for standard packings the gas flow rate is often considered to have only a small effect on effective area when operating below the loading point, its effect measured on RSP200X is significant and of the same order as for liquid load. Measurements of kLa and kGa further confirm these trends.