Characteristics Of Hydrodynamics And Mass Transfer In Cross Flow Rotating Packed Bed

Rotating Packed Bed (RPB), which uses centrifugal force to intensify transfer and mixing related processes, is a new type of high efficiency multiphase contactor. Counter-current liquid-gas flow in RPB has been being developed as typical operating mode since its birth in 1979. However, no published report concerning cross-flow RPB has been found yet.Considering cross-flow RPB has its unique character that there is no flooding limitation of gas flow rate, which is possibly a special merit in shrinking the size of the equipment, it is necessary first to investigate the hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics of cross flow RPB so as to have fundamental knowledge for proper evaluation.Experimental studies and modeling were carried out on a cross flow RPB of 64mmID, 164mmOD and 200mm axial length.The operating conditions: Gas flow rate (axial direction): 300-1000m~3/hr Liquid flow rate (radial direction): 0-2.5m~3/hr Rotating speed (RPB): 450-1500RPMFour groups of experiments were designed. The results and conclusions are as follows:1. Fluidynamic characteristics:(1) There is no limitation as flooding for gas flow rate. The gas flow rate can be as high as 15m/s and even more provided pressure drop is not restricted. The liquid entrainment is easily eliminated by a section of non-irrigated packing at the down stream side.(2) Gas pressure drop correlations is similar with fixed bed but totally different from that of counter-current flow RPB.(3) With the increase of gas flow rate, liquid droplets in the bed shifts axially to down stream a little more from radial direction. However the axial inclination is not serious and liquid flow rate has no influence in its inclination.