Neue Publikation: A rate-based model for reactive separation columns with sandwich packings

Sandwich packings are assembled from two conventional structured packings with different geometrical surface areas stacked alternatingly within a separation column. When operated under partially flooded conditions, they provide significant mass transfer improvement compared to common structured packings. In this work, a rate-based model including novel mass transfer correlations is presented and validated using a comprehensive experimental database for the reactive absorption of CO2 into aqueous monoethanolamine. The proposed rate-based approach is capable of accounting for axial dispersion, thereby enabling the evaluation of the effect of liquid-phase backmixing on the mass transfer performance. The validated rate-based model is used to evaluate the separation performance of sandwich packings. Compared with structured packings, up to 10 % higher mass transfer rates are obtained.

A rate-based model for reactive separation columns with sandwich packings