ALL Flow Through Packed Beds 29 3.11 Flow Through Packed Beds Many chemical processing operations and facilities use packed columins to accom- plish unit operations such as gas absorption/desorption, and distillation. The packing in the columns serve to increase the surface area available for diffusion and mass transfer. The fluid dynamics of flow through packed columns involve calculation of the pressure drop across the packing and also the estimation and prediction of imminent flooding conditions within the column (2, 3] 3.11.1 Calculation of Pressure Drop in Packed Columns ‘The resistance to flow of fluids in packed columns is primarily due to the drag force of the packing particles. Fluid flow in packed beds occurs through randomly shaped interconnected channels. However, the assumption of uniform circular channels in the bed simplifies the calculation basis and the subsequent equations can be modified by using experimental results. Based on the preceding approach, in addition to the density, viscosity, and velocity of the fiuid, the following parameters affect the flow of fluids and hence the pressure drop in a packed column (2, 3]. 1. Porosity of the bed, ¢, which is a measure of the void space available for ‘uid flow, _Yoid volume within the packing total volume of the packing G61) 2. Equivalent spherical diameter of the patil, which sin lenced by the volume to surface area ratio ofthe partite. Dp (volume of the particle ) o(%) a (Saracs area ofthe paricis) ~ °( Sp ‘The velocity ofthe fd willbe higher compared to the velocity inthe empty tower diet the constrictions crested by the packing, The supericial velocity. Vi also known a the velocity based on smipty tower cross section, is defined as the volume flow rate of the fd divided bythe ess setion of the tower. Ws= 3.69)230 3 Fluid Mechanics and Momentum Transfer ‘The Ergun equation, commonly used in calculating the pressure drop across a packed bed of length, L, is AP _ 150vsu(1—e)? | 1.75pv3 (1-9 T De Be Ce) (3-70) ‘The fiction factor and the Reynolds number for flow through packed beds are defined by the following equations f= (22) em 8.2) Based on the preceding definitions, the Ergun equation can be written in terms of the friction factor and Reynolds number as follows. 150 So= devs (3.73) Example 3.20 Water flows through a packed bed of height 6 ft and porosity of 0.28. The bed is supported in a tower with diameter 3 A. The packing consists of 2in intalox saddles with surface arca to volume ratio of 35 £V/1. The properties of water at the flow temperature are density, p = 62.4 Thm’, and dynamic viscosity, y= 6.72 * 10 “Tmt see. The velocity of water through the bed should be such that the pressure AP=(1-8He(oy—oy) 3.76) ‘The pressure drop in the packed bed just prior to the incipient fluidization condition can be calculated using the Ergun equation (Eq. 3.70). Note: Appropriate use of the conversion constant, g., is necessary in Eqns. 3.74-3.76 to ensure consistency of units. The incipient fluidization state is illustrated in Fig. 3.16, Example 322 ‘The particles in a packed bed with a height of 3 fthave a density of 156 Ibavft, The cross-section area of the tower is 0.45 f°, The total mass of particles in the bed is 120 Ibm and the equivalent mean diameter of the particles is 0.04 in. The volume flow rate ofthe fluid (SG = 0.80, = 0.001 Ibmv/ft- sec) across the bed is 0.0145 cfs (cubic feet per second). Determine