Liquid flow behavior in the concentric mesh packing with novel fiber cross-sectional shape in a rotating packed bed

Abstract

Mesh packing has been widely exploited in rotating packed beds (RPBs). Fiber cross-sectional shape (CSS) of mesh has exhibited significant influence on liquid flow behavior. The concentric mesh packing outperforms conventional coiled mesh packing in mass transfer. However, in-depth insights into liquid flow characteristics in concentric mesh packing, especially with novel fiber CSS, which is indispensable for mass transfer modelling, are scarce. Herein, the liquid flow behavior in concentric mesh packing composed of vertical quadrangular fibers and horizontal elliptical fibers (VQHE) and the packing composed of circular fibers (VCHC) were investigated via high-speed photography technology in an RPB. Typical liquid flow patterns and their transition in packings were illuminated. The liquid film covered wider regions in VQHE than that in VCHC. The transition criteria for flow patterns has been proposed. The VQHE reduced the average droplet diameter by 19%, enhanced the uniformity of droplet size distribution, and decreased average droplet velocity by 15%, compared to VCHC. Furthermore, correlations to predict the average droplet diameter and velocity were developed with deviations of ±15% and ±20%, respectively.