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Foam in Absorption Columns with Structured Packings – Part 2: Inhibition and Destruction
Author(s) -
Leuner Hannes,
Gerke Sören Jakob,
Illner Markus,
Repke Jens-Uwe
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.202200050
Subject(s) - distillation , mass transfer , absorption (acoustics) , reduction (mathematics) , structured packing , materials science , column (typography) , throughput , chromatography , fractionating column , composite material , chemistry , process engineering , structural engineering , computer science , engineering , mathematics , geometry , telecommunications , connection (principal bundle) , wireless
Foam in absorption and distillation processes is one of the main reasons for malfunctions in columns including higher pressure loss, lower throughput, and lower mass transfer rates leading to a reduction in the separation efficiency. This study evaluates different foam management solutions aiming at a foam‐reduced operation of columns with structured packings based on fundamental investigations. Firstly, the effect of spacers between structured packing layers is presented as a passive foam inhibition method. Secondly, the ability of acoustic waves at low frequencies around 50 s −1 (Hz) destructing existing foam in columns is analyzed and discussed. This method is able to reduce the pressure loss by –56 % and increase the corresponding F‐factor by +22 % in a DN300 column in continuous operation.