Flow regime transition in countercurrent packed column monitored by ECT

Vertical packed columns are widely used in absorption, stripping and distillation processes. Flooding will occur the vertical as a result of excessive liquid accumulation, which reduces mass transfer efficiency causes large pressure drop. Pressure drop measurements typically hydrodynamic parameter for predicting flooding. They are, however, only indicative occurrence transition flow regime across column. offer limited spatial information to column operators designers. In this work, new method using Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) is implemented first time so that real-time monitoring at different positions achieved countercurrent bed ECT. Two normalisation methods monitor from pre-loading flooding 200 mm diameter, 1200 height filled with plastic structured packing. Liquid distribution can be qualitatively visualised via reconstructed ECT images. A index quantitatively indicate progression local experiments, degree quantified various gas rates locations sensor. images were compared visual observation. The experimental results demonstrate capable distribution, identifying transitions