Study of gas-liquid two phase flow in multiphase contactor using low-intrusive measuring methods

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Guanghua Zheng - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Linda Schlusemann - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Markus Schubert - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Uwe Hampel - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Marcus Grünewald - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)

Abstract

Multiphase contactors are the most used apparatuses for reaction and separation in chemical engineering. Due to limitations imposed by the measuring methods, the analysis is made difficult as the hydrodynamic behavior under real process conditions is not completely understood. Several new measuring techniques have been developed for the investigation of multiphase flows in vessel cross sections in the last decades. Especially visualization techniques like tomography have been in the focus since these are noninvasive and thus non-intrusive methods, and enable the visualization of phase distributions. However, currently developed nonintrusive methods have considerable drawbacks. The computer tomography methods can obtain high spatial resolution. In comparison, the temporal resolution is relative low. For the application of topographic measurement techniques in multiphase flow study, especially with fast changing flow patterns, a high temporal resolution is essential. Electrical tomography has a high temporal resolution. However, reconstruction algorithm is complex and the electrical field lines are not linear, therefore spatial resolution rate is relative low. Therefore, no exact mass balance could be established and the resulting phase fractions cannot be applied for model developments. In this research project, Wire-Mesh Sensor (WMS) has relatively high temporal and spatial resolution is used for the study of phase distribution in multiphase contactors. The WMS comprises two planes, in each plane there are sensing wires. Wires from different planes are orthogonally arranged. Since water and air have different electrical permittivity values and thus, they produce different capacitance in the sensing points of the WMS. Images of phase distributions can be generated from the measurements of the local capacitance. Measurements of phase distribution with WMS can supply more accurate information of spatial phase distribution to update the theoretical models used in multiphase flow.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIChE 2012 - 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

SeriesAIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings

Conference

Title2012 AIChE Annual Meeting, AIChE 2012
Duration28 October - 2 November 2012
CityPittsburgh, PA
CountryUnited States of America

Keywords

Keywords

  • Bubble column, Packed column, Phase distribution, Wire-mesh sensor