Characteristics of a rotating packed bed equipped with blade packings and baffles

One main disadvantage of a rotating packed bed (RPB) is the low angular slip velocity of gas in its rotor, limiting its application for gas-side controlling mass transfer processes. This work enhances angular slip velocity and reduces centrifugal pressure drop using a novel gas–liquid contactor, an RPB with blade packings and static baffles. The hydraulic and mass transfer characteristics of the proposed device were investigated using an isopropyl alcohol absorption process. Experimental results show that pressure drop increased as the gas flow rate and rotational speed increased, and was not significantly affected by liquid flow rate. A 53% reduction in pressure drop was achieved by adding static baffles to the proposed device. The mass transfer coefficient (KGa) increased as gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and rotational speed increased. The KGa value for the bed with baffles was 117% higher than that for a bed without baffles. The proposed RPB with blade packings and baffles has great potential for gas–liquid separation.

► A novel RPB with blade packings and static baffles was developed.
► We examined the performance of the device by absorption of isopropyl alcohol.
► Adding baffles reduced pressure drop by up to 53%.
► Adding baffles enhanced the KGa value by up to 117%.