Fluid flow patterns on a distillation tray played an important role in the tray efficiency. A new technique for
measuring fluid flow patterns on a distillation tray was introduced. The new technique involved observing a
step input of a liquid tracer of higher temperature while keeping a record with a thermal infrared camera, and
the principle for measurement was also deduced. Experiments were carried out in a 1200-mm-diameter
simulation column using two types of trays with one and two hanging downcomers. With the new technique,
the detailed picture of the residence time distribution on a multiple downcomer tray was obtained. The results
showed that the new technique was convenient, accurate, and not contaminated to measure the residence
time distribution of the tray. A stagnant region existed in the multiple downcomer tray. The size of the stagnant
region decreased with a decrease of the liquid rate and bubbling of air. The initial velocity of liquid entering
the tray determined the flow pattern of the tray.
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