Sohr J., Schubert M., Flechsig S., Kenig E., Hampel U., 2018, Experimental Investigation of Fluid Dynamics in Sandwich Packings with Ultrafast X-ray Tomography, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 69, 727-732.
Sandwich packings consist of two layers of corrugated sheet structured packings with higher (holdup layer) and lower (de-entrainment layer) specific surface area alternatingly placed in the column. They are preferentially operated between the flooding points of both layers, which results in zones of bubbly flow, froth regime and liquid film flow in each sandwich element. Compared to conventional packed columns, sandwich packings can reach higher capacity and also higher separation efficiency as a result of intensive phase interactions. In the scope of a collaborative project, sandwich packings are experimentally and theoretically investigated. To provide detailed information on the heterogeneous flow patterns to derive reliable process models, ultrafast X-ray tomography is applied as a non-invasive measurement technique with high temporal and spatial resolution. In addition to local liquid holdup in the different layers of the packing, cross-sectional liquid distribution and axial transitions between the flow regimes are estimated. Furthermore, a method for the detection of the gas-liquid interfacial area is proposed.
