Falling-film evaporators have been used extensively in chemical processing plants due to their
minimal fluid residence time and high heat transfer rates with low temperature differences. A
cheaper alternative for achieving suitable liquid distribution and film stability was investigated
here for solutions with low solids content and sufficiently low viscosity to allow for gravity-driven down-flow. The alternative consists of using a film promoter of thin stainless steel woven
wire specified by mesh (opening number per linear inch), placed flush against the heating surface
where the liquid film flows down. For very low liquid feed-flow rates per length of internal
perimeter, such as 0.004 kg/(m·s), the fluid can be scattered over the entire vertical surface of
the evaporator in a very thin film. The use of this film promoter leads to 3-fold higher evaporation
rates.
The NRTL activity model parameters were determined for the following
binary systems: 2-ethoxyethanol + 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, 2-ethoxyethanol
+ 2-butoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol + 2-butoxyethyl acetate, 2-ethoxyethyl
acetate + 2-butoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate + 2-butoxyethyl acetate,
and 2-buthoxyethanol + 2-butoxyethyl acetate. For the estimate of
NRTL activity model parameters, measurements of the bubble point of
binary mixtures of a known composition were made at atmospheric pressure
from (93 to 101.3) kPa. Ideal behavior was considered for the vapor
phase. It was assumed that no reaction occurs between the acetates
and alcohols of the binary mixtures.
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