Comparative investigation of copper knit-metal cloth and Raschig rings as absorption tower packings

Abstract

Gas absorption may be defined as the transfer from a gas to a liquid of one or more components of a gaseous mixture by means of solution in a liquid. This is accomplished by bringing the two phases together, with a large amount of interfacial surface, in an economical manner for commercial use.

Much is lacking in knowledge of the theory of gas absorption. This lack of knowledge and the wide variety of purposes and specifications have caused many types of absorption equipment to be designed, built and used. The objective in all causes has been to increase the surface of contact between the gas and the liquid at low installation cost and with low operating costs.

The most common type of absorption equipment is the packed tower. It consists, essentially, of a vertical shell filled with an inert packing material. Absorption is accomplished by countercurrent operation, the solvent being allowed to trickle down over the packing material while the gas passes up through the wetted packing.

The tower packing is the fundamental consideration in improving the efficiency of the equipment. A packing material should have a low resistance to gas flow so as to give low maintenance costs, a high absorption capacity and low costs of installation. In any case, the packing that most completely fills the requirements should be used.

It is the purpose of this investigation to make a study of the characteristics of operation of copper knit-metal cloth, in comparison to Raschig rings, when used absorption tower packings.