Measurement system

The investigations of hydrodynamics in foam packed columns were carried out with the ultrafast electron beam X-ray computed tomography system ROFEX III. The measurements were carried out with a temporal resolution of 1 ms and a spatial resolution of 1 mm. Having two measurement planes with an axial distance of about 14 mm, the system provides a detailed insight in the morphology and statistical key parameters of the liquid pulses.
Micro-CT images of the applied foams with pore densities of 20 ppi, 30 ppi and 45 ppi (from left to right)		Schematical drawing of the ultrafast X-Ray scanner ROFEX III

Results

Comparison pulse flow regime

Depending on operation conditions, partially and fully developed pulse flow ocurrs in solid foam packed reactors. Within the investigated measurement range pulse flow has been found at three gas/liquid velocity combinations (A, B, C) corresponding to gas and liquid superficial velocities u_G and u_L, respectively, of:

• A: u_L=0.03 m s^-1 | u_G=1.0 m s^-1
• B: u_L=0.04 m s^-1 | u_G=0.8 m s^-1
• C: u_L=0.04 m s^-1 | u_G=1.0 m s^-1.

Varying operation conditions, the trend of cross sectional liquid saturation measured within solid foams can be seen in the following table.

Select parameter Pore density Velocity Height Height 0.25 m 0.45 m 0.65 m Velocity A B C
	20 ppi	30 ppi	45 ppi
			© HZDR