Hydrodynamics of gas–liquid counter-current flow in solid foam packings

Abstract

Solid foam materials combine high voidage and high surface area. These two properties are advantageous for use in chemical reactors due to the low frictional pressure drop and relatively high surface area that may be used for catalyst deposition. Hydrodynamic parameters such as liquid holdup, pressure drop, and flow regimes similar to those for packed beds, have been obtained for the gas and liquid flows through these solid foam packings. The open-celled solid foam packings used were in the range of 5–40 pores per linear inch (ppi). The regimes studied are two high liquid holdup regimes and a low liquid holdup regime (trickle flow regime). Also the flooding points for counter-current flow have been determined.