Radial and axial dispersion of the liquid phase within a KATAPAK-S® structure:: experiments vs. CFD simulations

The radial, and axial, liquid-phase dispersion within the catalytically packed criss-crossing sandwich structures of KATAPAK-S has been studied experimentally with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The KATAPAK-S structure has excellent radial dispersion characteristics. The radial dispersion coefficient in such structures is about one order of magnitude higher than that for conventional packed (trickle) beds. The CFD simulations of the radial dispersion are in good agreement with experiments. At high-liquid loads, there is liquid flow outside the wire gauze envelopes, leading to enhanced axial dispersion. The axial dispersion coefficient of the liquid phase of KATAPAK-S is of the same order of magnitude as the radial dispersion coefficient. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.