Numerical investigation of the blockage phenomenon in packed columns

The study and characterization of random and structured packed columns has been of primary importance to develop reliable model for engineer design tool. Those models, often developed after long experimental campaign, usually lack the understanding of the local scale phenomena such as flooding and blockage that is necessary in order to design more efficient packing geometries. The present study objective is to be able to understand the parameters influencing the incipience of the blockage phenomenon that is observed at any regime. The study make use of a numerical approach based on the Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) multiphase method. The method is employed to observe the free surface in various flow conditions for different elementary geometries. For the condition studied, the results show the corrugation geometry and material to be the main actors in the blockage in-cipience. The study also highlights the design features that are critical in the design of packed bed geometries to ensure a satisfactory specific coverage as well as good flow periodicity to develop accurate design tools.(c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study focuses on understanding the parameters influencing the incipience of blockage phenomenon and designing more efficient packing geometries. A numerical approach using the Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method is employed to observe the free surface in various flow conditions for different geometries. The results show that the corrugation geometry and material play a key role in the blockage incipience, and critical design features for satisfactory specific coverage and flow periodicity are highlighted.