Three-dimensional simulation of distillation column containing structured packing (2). Validation of model and the effect of liquid distribution and mixing behavior on distillation

The distillation experiment performed by Gorak was simulated with sufficient accuracy by using the simplified three-dimensional mixing-pool model. The effect of liquid distribution and mixing behavior on distillation column containing structured packing was studied with numerical method with the simplified three-dimensional mixing-pool model. It was found that the axial backmixing of liquid phase has a pronounced negative effect on separation. The three-dimensional model should be used for simulating the cases of serious wall flow and/or serious channeling flow. Lateral mixing is favorable to the separation, but for the corrugated sheet structured packing, the loss of separation efficiency due to nonuniform liquid distribution cannot be completely compensated, even with infinite lateral mixing along the extending direction of packing sheet.