CFD-based study on structured packing geometry

• Published in: Chemical engineering science 2021-11, Vol.243, p.116767, Article 116767
• Main Authors: Macfarlan, Luke H., Seibert, A. Frank, Phan, Mikey T., Eldridge, R. Bruce
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational Fluid Dynamics; Mass Transfer; Packed Columns; Separations Technology; Structured Packing Geometry Study
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2021.116767

[Display omitted] •Turbulent diffusion coefficient can accurately predict turbulent mass transfer.•Numerical mass transfer predictions showed strong agreement with experimental data.•Performance dependence on three structured packing geometry parameters revealed.•Tradeoff exhibited between hydrodynamic and mass transfer performances. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based investigation of structured packing geometry was performed for gas phase hydrodynamic and mass transfer performance. The computational results were validated with experimental data with a robust mass transfer methodology for the gas-phase resistance identified through pipe flow simulations. The methodology was then applied to structured packing simulations for a variety of industrially relevant geometries. The mass transfer predictions agreed to within five percent of pilot-scale experimental data for standard commercial packings. The geometry of structured packing was studied by systematically changing the specific packing area, channel inclination angle, and channel opening angle to determine the geometry which produced a high degree of mass transfer or a low pressure drop.