Scaling-up of packed columns Part I

Abstract

Mass transfer experiments in three different columns, of 0.14, 0.29 and 0.44 m diameter respectively, which were packed with 8.4 mm Raschig rings are reported. The packed height amounted to 2.07 m. Acetone was stripped from a water-acetone mixture by means of air under carefully controlled experimental conditions, maintaining a stripping factor equal to unity. The purpose of the experiments was to develop reliable scaling-up rules for packed columns. Liquid phase residence time distribution measurements were performed to supplement the results of the mass transfer experiments. Neither the mass transfer efficiency nor the axial dispersion in the liquid phase was found to depend on the column diameter. The absence of any influence of the column diameter on the variables which were investigated is assumed to be due to the fact that both the gas and the liquid distributors in the various columns were of identical design.