Countercurrent gas-liquid flow in plate-fin heat exchangers with plain andperforated fins

Countercurrent gas-liquid flow in narrow rectangular channels simulated by plain and perforated fins is studied. Different flow patterns dependent on flow rates are observed and visualised in the channels. Flooding velocities and pressure drops are measured. Results are compared with previous experi mental data obtained in rectangular channels. The present results focus on two particular types of flooding phenomena: that occurring at the column ba se and linked to plugging and that at the top, linked to reentrainment. A f urther set of experiments using perforated fins surprisingly shows a greate r tendency to flooding of the perforated fins. However, there are marked di fferences for the two types of fins and an explanation may be the two disti nct flooding occurrences. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserve d.