Counter-current absorption using wire gauze packings

Abstract

The dynamic liquid hold-up, ε_LD, effective interfacial area, a, and the liquid side mass transfer coefficient k_La were determined for 0.1 m and 0.2 m multifilament wire gauze packings, 0.0125 m double walled wire gauze partition rings and 0.025 m wire gauze saddle packings in columns operated countercurrently. The theory of gas absorption accompanied by fast pseudo mth order reaction was used to determine the effective interfacial area. The values of liquid side mass transfer coefficient for the multifilament wire gauze packings were obtained by absorbing lean carbon dioxide in a buffer solution of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. K_La values for the other packings were obtained by absorbing pure carbon dioxide in tap water. The values of a and k_La for multifilament wire gauze packings were found to be two to four times higher as compared to the conventional ring or saddle packings. Further, the superficial liquid velocity was found to have marginal effect on a. The double walled wire gauze partition rings offered a values which were 1.5-2.0 times higher than that offered by 0.016 m s.s. Pall rings at low values of superficial liquid velocity (<3 × 10^−3m/s.)