Liquid drainage in inclined packed beds-Accelerating liquid draining time via column tilt

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • G. P. Assima - , Université Laval (Author)
  • A. Hamitouche - , Center for Scientific and Technical Research in Physical-Chemical Analysis (Author)
  • M. Schubert - , Chair of Chemical Process Engineering, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • F. Larachi - , Université Laval (Author)

Abstract

The dynamics of liquid drainage in inclined packed beds was studied experimentally using electrical capacitance tomography. The evolution of textural flow regimes and liquid saturation profiles were monitored as a function of bed tilt angle and bed height. Film and droplet textural regimes were discriminated during bed drainage tests. They consisted of a rapid step discharging, virtually at constant flow rate, ca. 80% of the poral dynamic liquid followed by as lower step of partially-saturated pores discharging the remaining 20%. The drainage time was markedly reduced upon tilting the column resulting ultimately in virtually bed-length independent drainage times. Bed inclination reduced the droplet paths to the vessel wall, stimulating migration and coalescence of liquid droplets towards the lower mostarea of the column cross-section. This ensured sufficient hydraulic pressure nearby the high-porosity wall area to maintain enhanced liquid outflows. As a prospective process intensification artifice, inclining packed beds way exhibit superior advantage in stimulating drainage of tall vessels especially if emergency circumstances arise.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)249-255
Number of pages7
JournalChemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification
Volume95
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • Electrical capacitance tomography, Film and droplet texture, Liquid drainage, Liquid saturation, Static inclined packed bed