Characterization and quantification of liquid distribution in a packed column on a pilot scale

A simple method for quantification of liquid distribution efficiency was developed to characterise a packed column on a pilot scale, operated with 1 in. plastic Pall ring. The study variables were the water flow rate, the packing section height and the liquid distributing device: a tube and two distributor models, representing commercial applications (100 distribution points/m 2 ). The liquid distribution was correlated through a model with 5 parameters. Through the model presented for the quantification of the distribution efficiency, it was verified that at the experimental conditions employed, the packing without a distributor was not capable of to distribute the liquid efficiently. The two distributor models do not present a significant difference in terms of global efficiency and dispersion.