Development of a Novel Vertical-Sheet Structured Packing

A novel vertical-sheet structured packing has been developed with the objectives of achieving low pressure drop, high capacity and comparable mass transfer efficiency as compared with existing structured packings. A geometrical model and a geometry based liquid flow model that we developed for randomly packed beds have been extended and validated for structured packings. Based on the models, a computer-assisted approach has been used for the optimal design of the packing. Pressure drop, liquid flow distribution, capacity, and mass transfer efficiency of the packing developed have been tested in a 0.3 m ID air-water column and a distillation column of the same diameter.