Influence of viscosity and surface tension on the effective mass transfer area of structured packing

The effective mass transfer area (ae) of three structured packings (Mellapak 250Y, Mellapak 500Y, and Flexipac 1Y) was measured via chemical absorption in a 0.427 m ID column as a function of liquid load (1–30 gpm/ft2 or 2.4–73.2 m3/m2.h), liquid viscosity (1−−15 mPa.s), and surface tension (30–72 mN/m). Viscosity had no effect and surface tension had only a weak effect on the effective area. The ratio of effective area to specific surface area (ae/ap) was correlated as a function of the liquid Weber and Froude numbers within limits of ±15% for the entire experimental database: aeap=1.362[(WeL)(FrL)−1/3]0.122.