CFD Simulation of Flow in Random Packing Columns with Seawater Desulfurization

Abstract

Based on the volume average method, gas-liquid two-phase flow CFD model is established to describe the random packing column in seawater desulfurization. The fluid velocity and porosity distribution were obtained by calculation. Based on the experimental research with three different filler, the dry and wet loss curves which describes gas flow with in each packed bed are obtained, calculations results of pressure loss and experimental results are well consistent. Analyzing the seawater velocity vector in packed columns and velocity profile of the section on the middle of the packed tower, a significant “wall flow” phenomena was found. There is an accumulation trend near the wall along the direction of the liquid flow, and the wall flow becomes much more serious. As can be seen from the chart that the porosity distribution on the radial direction near the wall is significantly higher than it is at the middle area, which is the reason for the formation of wall flow.