PRESSURE DROPS IN GAS-LIQUID FLOW IN A 15 CM RECIPROCATING PLATE COLUMN

Time-averaged pressure drops have been measured in a 15 cm internal di ameter reciprocating plate column, using the water/air system under co nditions of cocurrent, countercurrent and single phase (water) flow. T he reciprocation frequency was varied from 1 to 4 Hz, while the stroke (peak to trough amplitude) was set at 2.54 cm. Two types of perforate d plate were used, having perforation diameters 14.3 and 6.35 mm. Unde r single phase flow conditions, the pressure drops were in agreement w ith an earlier model due to Noh and Baird (1984). Under cocurrent cond itions the gas flow had the effect of increasing the pressure drop, pa rticularly at low reciprocation rates; this was interpreted in terms o f enhanced circulation velocities in the liquid phase. In countercurre nt flow the pressure drop was also affected by bubbles clustering at t he plates.