Structured packing performance-experimental evaluation of two predictive models

A comprehensive total reflux distillation study of sheet metal structured p ackings was carried out with the cyclohexane/n-heptane test mixture. The ex periments covered a wide range of pressures, two corrugation angles, two su rface areas, and two surface designs. Experimental results include pressure drop, capacity, and mass-transfer efficiency. The database generated has b een used to evaluate generalized performance models developed independently at The University of Texas Separations Research Program (SRP model)) and a t Delft University of Technology (Delft model). This paper reports the expe rimental results and compares them with predictions from the two models. De viations of predictions from measurements are discussed in terms of likely contacting mechanisms in the packed bed.