Application of a wire-mesh sensor for the experimental characterization of liquid distribution in packed columns

Abstract Characteristic design parameters for fluid dynamics and mass transfer of packed column internals are usually obtained from laboratory or pilot plant experiments. At this scale, results are often affected by liquid maldistribution. Knowledge of liquid distribution is necessary to quantify the influence of maldistribution on mass transfer efficiency and helps to prevent an overdesign of industrial packed columns. The applicability of a minimally invasive wire-mesh sensor for distribution measurements is investigated and a measuring and evaluation method is developed and applied to investigate liquid distribution for the Pall Ring 25, the Raschig Super Ring 0.6 and the Montz Pak B1.250. The results for both, tracer, and integral liquid distribution, show a high reproducibility and are in good agreement with published liquid distribution behavior. The wire-mesh sensor can provide valuable results as a supplement or alternative to liquid collectors with little additional experimental effort in fluid dynamics and mass transfer measurements.