Flow pattern, pressure loss and liquid holdup data in gas-liquid downflow packed beds with foaming and nonfoaming hydrocarbons

Abstract

Flow patterns, pressure loss and liquid holdup for gas-liquid concurrent downflow have been studied in glass beds and in cylindrical and spherical Co/Mo/A1203 catalyst packings with foaming and nonfoaming liquids. The different flow patterns encountered in this study are gathered in a flow pattern diagram. Correlations of pressure loss and liquid holdup are proposed in terms of the single-phase friction loss or frictional energy for the liquid and the gas when each flows alone in the bed. The types of correlation depend on the tendency of the fluid to foam or not. A comparison of the flow diagram and the pressure drop and holdup correlation of this work with those of other published studies is also presented. © 1976, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan. All rights reserved.