Redirecting liquid momentum in rotating-packed-bed midway packing to enhance gas–liquid mass transfer: Modelling and application based on liquid-capture mechanism in end-effect zone

Abstract

A rotating packed bed (RPB) is a typical process intensification reactor that has a wide range of chemical applications. Because most of the mass transfer intensified by RPBs enters the RPB end-effect zone, efficiently utilizing the end-effect zone to maximize the mass-transfer efficiency is pivotal to further downsize RPBs. Therefore, we propose a liquid-capture mechanism with which a model is developed to evaluate the end-effect zone length. The analytic solution of the model gives a dimensionless end-effect zone number, Ner, describing the end-effect zone length. The model is validated by contrasting data from the current and previous studies and is used to design RPB with deflectors to generate multiple end-effect zones. Furthermore, CO2–NaOH absorption experiments are adopted to verify the improved RPB mass transfer and the reliability of the liquid-capture mechanism. The study provides insight and a method of calculating the end-effect zone length to further optimize RPB structures.