Random Packing Performance in Continuous Foam Fractionation

Abstract

The #25 teller rosette (TR) random packing was used to enhance foam drainage in foam fractionation under continuous steady‐state conditions and tested using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a model surfactant. A column without the #25 TR served as control. The results demonstrated that the #25 TR was capable of enhancing the foam drainage and enrichment ratio while reducing the liquid holdup. The experiment was set up with optimized feed flow rate, liquid pool height, air flow rate, and SDS feed concentration. The enrichment ratio obtained by the #25 TR column was 1.76 times higher compared with the control column. Based on the mass balances and equilibrium relationship, a new method for graphical illustration of theoretical stages is also presented.