Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column

doi:10.1016/S1004-9541(13)60576-5

Chin.J.Chem.Eng. ›› 2013, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (9): 959-966.DOI: 10.1016/S1004-9541(13)60576-5

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Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column

ZHANG Xiaobin, YAO Lei, QIU Limin, ZHANG Xuejun

Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hanghzou 310027, China

Received:2012-06-18 Revised:2013-06-06 Online:2013-10-01 Published:2013-09-28
Contact: ZHANG Xuejun
Supported by:
Supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (2011CB706501) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51276157)

Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column

张小斌, 姚蕾, 邱利民, 张学军

Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hanghzou 310027, China

通讯作者: ZHANG Xuejun
基金资助:
Supported by the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (2011CB706501) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51276157)

Abstract

Abstract: Characterizing the complex two-phase hydrodynamics in structured packed columns requires a powerful modeling tool. The traditional two-dimensional model exhibits limitations when one attempts to model the detailed two-phase flow inside the columns. The present paper presents a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate the two-phase flow in a representative unit of the column. The unit consists of an entire corrugation channel and describes well the real liquid flow conditions. The detailed unsteady two-phase 3D CFD calculations on column packed with Flexipak 1Y were implemented within the volume of fluid (VOF) mathematical framework. The CFD model was validated by comparing the calculated thickness of liquid film with the available experimental data. Special attention was given to quantitative analysis of the effects of gravity on the hydrodynamics. Fluctuations in the liquid mass flow rate and the calculated pressure drop loss were found to be qualitatively in agreement with the experimental observations.

Key words: structured packing column, two-phase flow, computational fluid dynamics, three-dimension

摘要： Characterizing the complex two-phase hydrodynamics in structured packed columns requires a powerful modeling tool. The traditional two-dimensional model exhibits limitations when one attempts to model the detailed two-phase flow inside the columns. The present paper presents a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate the two-phase flow in a representative unit of the column. The unit consists of an entire corrugation channel and describes well the real liquid flow conditions. The detailed unsteady two-phase 3D CFD calculations on column packed with Flexipak 1Y were implemented within the volume of fluid (VOF) mathematical framework. The CFD model was validated by comparing the calculated thickness of liquid film with the available experimental data. Special attention was given to quantitative analysis of the effects of gravity on the hydrodynamics. Fluctuations in the liquid mass flow rate and the calculated pressure drop loss were found to be qualitatively in agreement with the experimental observations.

关键词: structured packing column, two-phase flow, computational fluid dynamics, three-dimension

ZHANG Xiaobin, YAO Lei, QIU Limin, ZHANG Xuejun. Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column[J]. Chin.J.Chem.Eng., 2013, 21(9): 959-966.

张小斌, 姚蕾, 邱利民, 张学军. Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2013, 21(9): 959-966.

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Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column

Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Two-phase Flow in a Structured Packing Column

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