The gas flow characteristics of the disc absorption column

Abstract

The gas flow characteristics of the disc column designed by S tephens and M orris [4] are studied by means of pressure drop determinations across the column. Water is run down the column with a range of gases passing countercurrent through the column. The gases studied are hydrogen, air, vinyl chloride and dichlorodifluoromethane. Correlations for pressure drop across the column, with and without liquid flowing over the discs, and across the empty column, are presented, which enable a correlation of data for pressure drop across a single disc to be made. The pressure drop data and gas film coefficients of mass transfer for the disc column are compared in order to show the relationship between mass transfer characteristics and gas flow characteristics. Changes in gas flow characteristics as indicated by break points in graphs relating pressure drop and gas velocity were found to be consistent with changes in the mass transfer data. Equations which enable a prediction of the location of changes in the gas flow characteristics are developed. Data are also presented for the flooding velocities of the disc column with the system air-water.