Gas Flow in a Multiliquid-Inlet Rotating Packed Bed: Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation and Internal Optimization

Experimental Study and Numerical Simulation of Hydrodynamic Parameters of Tangential Swirlers

This paper presents and patents new profiled- and annular-channel tangential swirlers with 1.8–3 times less hydraulic drag coefficient compared to swirlers with straight channel walls at the same flow rate, respectively. The results of numerical simulation of the gas velocity and pressure profiles for tangential swirler channels of different structures are presented. The modelling was carried out with the help of OpenFOAM software using the k-ε turbulence model. It is found that the shape of the velocity profile at the channel inlet has a decisive influence on the swirler drag coefficient. The greatest contribution to the total drag coefficient of the tangential swirler is made by the pressure drop at the channel inlet compared to the pressure drop at the channel wall and the channel outlet. The experimental dependencies of the tangential swirlers’ drag coefficient on the Reynolds number with a gas criterion of 2000–20,000 and the following structural channel parameters: width 1, 2–9 mm, height 1, 5–10 mm, number 5–45 units, inclination angle 0–45° are presented. The experimental data were compared with the modelling calculations and the convergence of data was achieved. The generalized dependence for the measurement of the hydraulic drag coefficient of three types of tangential swirlers considering the effect made by the geometric parameters (flow rate, width and height of the channel, wall inclination angle) on the pressure drop has been determined; it can be useful at the unit design stage as it allows for reducing the calculation time of the swirler parameters.

A Review of Modeling Rotating Packed Beds and Improving Their Parameters: Gas–Liquid Contact

The aim of this review is to investigate a kind of process intensification equipment called a rotating packed bed (RPB), which improves transport via centrifugal force in the gas–liquid field, especially by absorption. Different types of RPB, and their advantages and effects on hydrodynamics, mass transfer, and power consumption under available models, are analyzed. Moreover, different approaches to the modeling of RPB are discussed, their mass transfer characteristics and hydrodynamic features are compared, and all models are reviewed. A dimensional analysis showed that suitable dimensionless numbers could make for a more realistic definition of the system, and could be used for prototype scale-up and benchmarking purposes. Additionally, comparisons of the results demonstrated that Re, Gr, Sc, Fr, We, and shape factors are effective. In addition, a study of mass transfer models revealed that the contact zone was the main area of interest in previous studies, and this zone was not evaluated in the same way as packed beds. Moreover, CFD studies revealed that the realizable k-ε turbulence model and the VOF two-phase model, combined with experimental reaction or mass transfer equations for analyzing hydrodynamic and mass transfer coefficients, could help define an RPB system in a more realistic way.