A Dimensionless Model for Predicting the Mass-Transfer Area of Structured Packing

The mass-transfer area of nine structured packings was measured in a 0.427 m ID column via absorption of CO2 from air into 0.1 kmol/m(3) NaOH. The mass-transfer area was most strongly related to the specific area (125-500 m(2)/m(3)), and liquid load (2.5-75 m(3)/m(2).h). Surface tension (30-72 mN/m) had a weaker but significant effect. Gas velocity (0.6-2.3 m/s), liquid viscosity (1-15 mPa.s), and flow channel configuration had essentially no impact on the mass-transfer area. Surface texture (embossing) increased the effective area by 10% at most. The ratio of mass-transfer area to specific area (a(e)/a(p)) was correlated within the limits of +/- 13% for the entire experimental database a(e)/a(p) = 1.34 [(rho L/sigma)g(1/3) (Q/L-P)(4/3)](0.116). (C) 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 57: 1173-1184, 2011