Liquid Distribution and Local Hydrodynamics of Winpak: A Multiscale Method

A multiscale method for a novel structured packing, Winpak, was developed to study liquid distribution and local hydrodynamics. The method combines a unit network model with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The unit network model was used to predict the liquid distribution at the macroscale by defining 10 distribution coefficients. The distribution coefficients were obtained based on microscale behavior of liquid distribution which was simulated in six representative elementary units by the CFD method. The VOF model was used to capture the interface between the gas phase and the liquid film. Through simulation results, three flow patterns were observed. In addition, the relatively large liquid holdup and wetting area of Winpak were elucidated. The average film thickness in REUs was also investigated. Furthermore, the liquid distribution obtained from the macroscale model indicates that the windows could mitigate the tendency of liquid flowing toward the sidewall.