CFD analysis for thickness optimization of a rotating packed bed (RPB)

In chemical industries, the gigantic columns used for distillation, separation, and absorption processes have been replaced by process intensification technology of rotating packed bed (RPB). It is a centrifugal gas-liquid contactor where the liquid flows outward from the inner periphery of a spinning rotor consisting of a porous packing due to centrifugal motion, while gas travels inward from the peripheral edge due to an applied pressure gradient. By utilizing the advantages of RPB, similar process intensification can be achieved in thermal systems such as cooling towers. Unlike traditional towers, where gravity is the only driving force, the controllable intensity of the centrifugal force can regulate the water distribution. Also, the pumping power required to take the water to the towering heights of the cooling tower will be saved and a high flow rate of water can be achieved without flooding at the inlet. To achieve this, a series of experiments are required to be conducted for the understanding of flow hydrodynamics and optimization of design parameters. In the present work, the thickness of RPB having wire mess packing is optimized for a given airflow rate by performing CFD simulations in ANSYS Fluent. The obtained results are validated with the experiments.