A numerical model for combined heat and mass transfer in a laminar liquid falling film with simplified hydrodynamics

We present a model describing simultaneous heat and mass transfer of an absorbing or desorbing laminar liquid film flowing over a vertical isothermal plate. We start with a formulation which is comparable to established models by using simplifying assumptions such as homogeneous velocity and constant film thickness. In contrast to those, we allow for effects like change in properties and differential heat of solution within the bulk of the film. Additionally, enthalpy transport due to interdiffusion is accounted for. The impact of the considered effects are discussed and compared. The numerical solution is obtained by utilising a Newton-Raphson scheme to solve the finite difference formulation of the governing equations. Since the temperature gradients adjacent to wall and phase boundary are expected to be large, we discretise the equations on an irregular grid. The results of the model agree very well with established analytical models. It is found that the influence of released differential heat of solution within the bulk is relatively small. However, the impact on the temperature distribution is in the same order of magnitude as the one of a change in properties. Moreover, when comparing desorption with absorption under equivalent conditions, the mass transfer rate during absorption is higher than during desorption. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.