Mass Transfer Characteristics of Bale-Type Catalytic Distillation Packings

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the mass-transfer efficiency of the bale-type catalytic distillation packing as function of its main physical properties: external surface area and amount of catalyst. The overall gas phase mass-transfer coefficient and HETP values were calculated from experimental data. Experiments were carried out absorbing CO₂ in an aqueous solution of mono-ethanol-amine (MEA), using packings of different physical properties in a laboratory column of 1-in. diameter. The results show that the main mass transfer resistance is in the liquid phase and that the external area and amount of catalyst of the packing enhance the vapor–liquid mass-transfer rate. Several mass transfer models were evaluated but none of them properly reproduces the experimental data.

Acknowledgments

Authors want to express their gratitude to Dr. Manuel Pacheco, who provided significant support in the design, calculations, and interpretation of the absorption tests. Also, the laboratory help of Mr. Raúl Navarro and Mrs. Douglaines Marcano is acknowledged.