INVESTIGATION OF EFFECTS OF WAVE MOTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A FALLING FILM ABSORBER

The effect of wave motion on the performance of the falling film absor bers was analytically investigated by solving the combined energy and diffusion equations at a low Reynold's number (Re = 100) using an Alte rnating Direction Implicit (ADI) finite difference method. By comparin g the results of smooth flow and wavy how it was found that wave motio n improved the heat and mass transfer rates despite using a film veloc ity profile that did not permit mixing. The results supported the find ings of other researchers who explained the enhancement of mass transf er at low Re by the convection associated with the vertical component of the velocity. The effects of heat pf absorption (Ha) and Lewis numb er (Le) on heat and mass transfer were also studied and it was found t hat a low value of Ha together with a high Le would result in a better concentration variation. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.