LIQUID HOLDUP IN GAS-LIQUID COCURRENT DOWNFLOW THROUGH PACKED-BEDS

The average in situ volume fraction of the liquid phase for gas-liquid cocurrent downflow through packed beds is correlated to the input volume fraction of the liquid and the bed geometry. The range of operation is delineated into a high-interaction regime and a low-interaction regime based on the influence of the gas rate on the liquid holdup. Experimental data of the present investigation using air-water and air-CMC solutions, as well as that reported in literature covering a wide range in variables, are considered in the development of correlations for total and dynamic liquid holdup.