Computational Fluid Dynamics On Vapor-liquid Distributor In Large-scale Packed Column And Optimum Design

Gas–liquid distributors are important tower internals. Their qualities of performance are directly related to proper operation of the whole tower and qualities of productions. The flow distribution capacity of distributors is most important, especially for tower with large diameter, shallow bed or low pressure drop. This paper stimulated initial flow distribution of gas distributor and liquid distributor in large tower using CFD software FLUENT, researching their influencing factors from complicated kinestate of fluid and finding modified methods. Specific tasks were mainly stimulating twin-tangential annular deflector gas distributor in Φ7400mm packed column, and studying effect of its structure parameters on the flow distribution and the press drop of the distributor. After experimental studying on the pre-distributed pipes that matched with Φ4.57m and Φ6.09m slot liquid distributors, flow distributions with different processing and structural parameters were observed and stimulated on CFD. Optimum design schemes were put forward after comparing the simulation results with experimental results.Many things were researched in this paper, including the spacing between internal and external sleeves of twin-tangential annular deflector gas distributor, the number of guide plates, their axial slope angels and radial angels, the relationship between arrangement way of guide plates and combination property of distributor. Meanwhile, the potential impacts on distributor were evaluated combined with specific processing parameters. The research indicated that:the energy loss through distributor is mainly occurred in the vicinity of the interface between feed pipe and distributor;when spacing between internal and external sleeves L=1.2m, the optimal combination property of distributor were generated;when the number of guide plates N＝5, moreover, axial slope angels is 30o and radial angels is 10o, the combination property of distributor were better;if the inflow velocity V=50m/s, the blades height decrease of guide plates near to inlets of distributor might improve fluid distributing performance in distributor, simultaneously increased the tower efficiency.The flow in feeding pre-distributed pipes of slot liquid distributor is divergent streams, and its flow pattern is very complicated. After experimental study on flow distribution and numerical stimulation using FLUENT, it could be found that the stimulation results are consistent with the experimental results and the practice was most successful. The numerical stimulation could cover the shortage of design and optimize the performance of distributor.