The experimental application of X-ray tomography to a vapor-liquid contactor

Initial results obtained from the application of X-ray tomography to an ope rating vapor-liquid contactor indicate that the technology has the potentia l to provide insight into the underlying hydraulic behavior of a packed col umn. Experiments were performed with counter-current air-water flows in a 6 -in-diameter contactor packed with random packing. Liquid and gas velocitie s typical of a commercial column were tested. Liquid distribution patterns and holdup values were obtained for three tower elevations. The majority of liquid holdup values obtained from the tomography experiments were within 15% on the parity plot of model versus experiment. The experimental Row pat terns for random packing showed a preference for the liquid stream to flow in rivulets. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.