Flow characteristics of blade unit of a tridimensional rotational flow sieve tray under concurrent gas–liquid flow

The flow characteristics of the blade unit of a tridimensional rotational flow sieve tray were investigated. First, the flow patterns are defined under different liquid arrangement methods. They are bilateral film flow, continuous perforated flow, and dispersion‐mixing flow in overflow distribution, film and jet flow and jet and mixed flow in spray distribution. Second, the time and frequency domain analysis of the differential pressure pulsation signal in the blade unit is carried out, the main frequencies range is 2.0−5.5 Hz. The influence of perforation and mixing intensity on the flow pattern transition is clarified. Third, the rotational flow ratio of the gas–liquid phase is measured, the gas phase rotational flow range is 0.55–0.78, and the liquid phase range is 0.15–0.42. The influence of the operating conditions on the distribution of the rotational and perforated flow is investigated. Finally, a prediction model for the rotational flow ratio is proposed.