Computational Fluid Dynamics Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Cross-Orthogonal Fixed-Valve Tray

A computational fluid dynamics model was developed to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of a novel orthogonal fixed-valve tray, which offers a larger effective contact perimeter under the same orifice area than its previously reported counterparts. The liquid-gas phases were simulated in the Eulerian framework, with the interphase momentum transfer source term based on the experimentally obtained liquid hold-up correlation. The simulation results were consistent with the experimental data. In addition, the gas hold-up profile of this new design was compared with its triangular cousin under the conditions of a typical run, showing that the former has a higher froth height, which indicated better interphase contact on the tray.