192 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.

1996, 35, 192-198

Comparison between Random and Structured Packings for

Dehumidification of Air by Lithium Chloride Solutions in a Packed
Column and Their Heat and Mass Transfer Correlations
Tsair-Wang Chung and Tushar K. Ghosh*
College of Engineering, University of MissourisColumbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211

Anthony L. Hines
Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., Marysville, Ohio 43040

Random and structured packings were compared for their efficiency in dehumidification of air
in a packed column using lithium chloride solutions. Experiments were conducted with cross
corrugated cellulose and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) structured packings, and the results were
compared with the data previously obtained for polypropylene Flexi rings and ceramic Berl
saddles as random packings. The heat and mass transfer correlations were developed for both
random and structured packings that considered the change in driving force due to the change
in LiCl concentration. A dimensional analysis of the process variables was carried out using
the Buckingham Pi method to obtain the dimensionless groups of the correlations. The data
obtained with 5/8 in. polypropylene Flexi rings, 1/2 in. ceramic Berl saddles, and 2 in. clay Raschig
rings (data for 2 in. Raschig rings were taken from Bichowsky and Kelley (1935)) were used to
test the correlations for random packings. The correlations for structured packings were tested
using the data obtained with cross corrugated cellulose and PVC packings. The values predicted
by these correlations were within (10% of the experimental data.

Introduction size. Therefore, these correlations were applicable only

Liquid desiccant-dehumidification systems have been
used for many years in industrial and specialized
applications. When lithium chloride is employed as a
desiccant, a packed column configuration is typically
used. The column can be packed either randomly or
with a structured packing. Since the packing must be
inert to lithium chloride, packings such as clay Raschig
rings, ceramic Berl saddles, and polypropylene Flexi
rings are frequently used. Although any of the above
would be acceptable from a material standpoint, polypro-
pylene Flexi rings are lighter in weight and are less
expensive than either the ceramic or clay packing. The
structured packing most frequently used with lithium
chloride solutions is a cross corrugated cellulose based
packing. Structured packings offer several advantages
over random packings, including lower pressure drop
and easy installation, but a detailed comparison be-
tween the two packing types is not available for lithium
chloride dehumidification systems.
The design of a dehumidification system with either
random or structured packing requires correlations for
heat and mass transfer coefficients. However, reliable
correlations for heat and mass transfer coefficients are
not available for the lithium chloride-air-water sys-
tem. The mass transfer correlations of Onda et al.
(1968) and Bolles and Fair (1982) for random packings
are frequently used for distillation and absorption-
stripping systems. For mixed solvents, such as lithium
chloride-water or calcium chloride-water solutions, the
predicted values from these correlations showed sig-
nificant deviation from the experimental data. The
change in the driving force due to the change in the salt
concentration in the solution was not considered in these
correlations. Gandhidasan et al. (1986) developed mass
transfer correlations for Raschig rings and Berl saddles
using the data from the calcium chloride-water-air
system. They proposed a correlation for each packing
0888-5885/96/2635-0192$12.00/0
for the calcium chloride-water-air systems. A large
error was noted when all of the above correlations were
used for lithium chloride-water-air systems (Chung
et al., 1992).
McAdams et al.’s (1949) empirical relationship for
heat transfer coefficients has been employed by several
authors (Lof et al., 1984; Chung et al., 1992) to correlate
the heat transfer data for random packings, but with a
limited success. Lof et al. studied the solar regeneration
of an aqueous solution of lithium chloride in a column
packed with 1-in. ceramic Raschig rings. Errors in the
predicted values from McAdams et al.’s correlation were
in the range of 2%-26%, which they attributed partly
to experimental error and partly to the failure to
maintain adiabatic conditions in the column. According
to Lof et al., the experimental values of mass and heat
transfer coefficients were subject to errors of about 30%
and 10%, respectively, due mainly to the error in the
measurement of relative humidity. Chung et al. (1992)
observed errors in the predicted values that ranged from
3% to 44%, with an average error of 14.4%, when 1/2
in. Berl saddles were used. McAdams et al.’s correlation
does not account for the change in concentration of the
desiccant solution, which plays an important role in the
heat transfer between the two phases. Gandhidasan
et al. (1986) also developed heat transfer correlations
for 1 in. and 2 in. Raschig rings and 1 in. and 1.5 in.
Berl saddles using the data for the calcium chloride-
water-air system. However, these correlations do not
provide an adequate estimation of the experimental
values for the lithium chloride-water-air system.
A limited number of heat and mass transfer correla-
tions for structured packings are available in the open
literature. Bravo et al. (1985) developed both the gas-
and liquid-side mass transfer correlations for gauze-type
packings. The correlations did not take into account the
change in the driving force due to the change in the
concentration of the desiccant solution.
© 1996 American Chemical Society
 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 35, No. 1, 1996 193
Table 1. Physical Characteristics of the Packings (1985). The integration of eq 1 was carried out numeri-
Random Packings cally by using Simpson’s integration method.
The gas-side heat transfer coefficient was calculated
5/8 in. polypropylene 1/2 in. ceramic by assuming that the column was operated adiabati-
properties Flexi rings Berl saddels
cally. The expression for calculating the heat transfer
surface area (m2/m3) 341 465 coefficient after making the correction for mass transfer
packing factor (m-1) 328 787 can be written as (Treybal, 1981)
packing weight (kg/m3) 117 865
void space (%) 86 62
NtMtcp,wa
Structured Packings hGA′a ) (2)
1 - exp(-NtMtcp,wa/hGAa)
cross
properties corrugated cellulose PVC
where hGAa is given by
surface area(m2/m3) 410 223
packing factor (m-1) 403 180
void space (%) 70 80 G′(cp,air + YAcp,w) tG,in - ti
flute height, h (cm) 0.635 (0.25 in.) 1.17 (0.461 in.) hGAa ) ln (3)
Z tG,out - ti
flute width, B (cm) 1.27 (0.5 in.) 2.8 (1.10 in.)
flute side, S (cm) 0.89 2.5
no. sheets in 12 in. pack 48 26 where the interface temperature, ti, is assumed to be
equivalent diameter (cm) 0.72 1.07 the arithmetic average of the bulk gas and liquid
temperatures. A detailed derivation of eqs 2 and 3 is
The objectives of the present study were to compare given by Treybal (1981). A maximum difference of 10%
the efficiency of the random and structured packings in the calculated values for mass transfer coefficients
for dehumidification of air and to develop overall gas was noted if the bulk flow correction was neglected, and
phase heat and mass transfer correlations for both the average difference was 8%. However, the average
packings, which are independent of the packing type. difference between the values calculated from eqs 2 and
3 for heat transfer coefficients was 3% with a maximum
Calculation of Heat and Mass Transfer difference of 5%. The values calculated from eq 2 was
Coefficients from Experimental Data always lower than that given by eq 3. The data for
random packings using 30% and 40% aqueous solutions
Experiments were conducted using a continuous
of lithium chloride are given by Chung et al. (1992,
absorption-regeneration system, a detailed description
1993). The data obtained with structured packings are
of which is given by Chung et al. (1993). Both the
given in Table 2.
absorber and the regenerator were glass columns, 15.24-
cm (6-in.) i.d. Both columns were packed up to a depth
of 40 cm with either a random or structured packing. Development of Correlations
The largest packing size used in this study was 5/8 in. The variables that affect the gas phase mass transfer
This provided a column diameter to packing size ratio coefficients for a random packing include air and liquid
of 8. The channeling effects may be neglected if the flow rates, physical properties of both air and the liquid,
column diameter is at least 8 times the packing diam- packing volume and size, molecular weight of the vapor
eter (McCabe and Smith, 1967). The air entered at the phase, diffusion coefficient of water in air, and the mass
bottom of the column and the liquid was sprayed fraction of the lithium chloride in the liquid solution.
countercurrently from the top of the column over the Therefore, the mass transfer coefficient can be expressed
packings using a spray nozzle. A Bex F-series flat-V as
spray nozzle having a spray angle of 50° was used in
this study. The distance between the nozzle and top of KGA ) f(a,Mt,dp,Dv,ρv,G′,L′,X,µv) (4)
the packing was such that the liquid did not hit the
column wall directly. The absorption column was For a structured packing, the same variables were
operated between 50% and 80% of the flooding veloci- considered except the packing size, which was replaced
ties, which required air and lithium chloride flow rates by an equivalent diameter of a flow channel in the
up to 60 ft3/min (7207 kg/(m2 h) or 24.7 lb/(ft2 min)) and structured packing. This was calculated by taking the
3.5 gal/min (41782 kg/(m2 h) or 142.9 lb/(ft2 min)), arithmetic average of the hydraulic radius of different
respectively, depending on the type of packings used in flow cross sections. In cross corrugated structured
the column. Packings employed in the experiments packings, generally triangular and diamond type flow
included cross corrugated cellulose and cross corrugated cross sections are available. These two cross sections
PVC structured packings. Experiments with polypro- are shown in Figure 1a. To simplify the calculation,
pylene Flexi rings (5/8 in.) and ceramic Berl saddles (1/2 triangular and diamond-shaped geometries, as shown
in.) as random packings using the same column were in Figure 1b, were used to estimate the hydraulic radii
carried out previously by Chung et al. (1992, 1993). The and equivalent diameter. The standard calculation
technical data of these packings are given in Table 1. procedures were employed (McCabe and Smith, 1967).
The overall gas phase mass transfer coefficient was Various geometric information of the two packings and
calculated assuming that the water is transferred from the calculated equivalent diameters are given in Table
air into the lithium chloride solution through a stagnant 1. The Buckingham Pi method was employed to obtain
film of liquid. The expression for calculating the coef- the pertinent dimensionless groups. The mass transfer
ficient after correcting for the bulk flow is given by correlation obtained from the dimensional analysis is
(1 - yA)*M dyA given as
(GZ) ∫y
( ) ()
A,b
KGaa ) (1)
avg yA,a 1 - yA yA - yA* Mtdp2 γ
L′
KGAa ) R(1 - X)β (Scv)ω(Rev)δ (5)
The derivation of eq 1 is given by Hines and Maddox Dvρv G′
194 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 35, No. 1, 1996

Table 2. Experimental Data from Columns Packed with Structured Packing for Lithium Chloride-Air-Water Systems
air air
air liquid inlet outlet equilib
flow flow air air humidity humidity liquid liquid humidity mass heat height
rate rate inlet outlet (lb of (lb of inlet outlet LiCl (lb of packing transfer transfer of
flooding (ft3/ (gal/ temp temp H2O/lb of H2O/lb of temp temp concn H2O/lb of height efficiency coefficient coefficient transfer
(%) min) min) (°F) (°F) dry air) dry air) (°F) (°F) (wt %) dry air) (cm) (%) 3 3
(kmol/m s) (kw/m K) unit (m)
Cross Corrugated Cellulose Structured Packing
50 27.5 2.5 77.9 73.2 0.0150 0.0068 69.4 70.8 38 0.0028 40 67.2 0.0881 2.21 0.36
60 33 2.5 78.8 73.9 0.0152 0.0070 69.4 71.4 38 0.0028 40 66.1 0.1028 2.51 0.37
70 38.5 2.5 79.8 74.3 0.0152 0.0071 69.4 72.5 38 0.0028 40 65.3 0.1179 3.10 0.38
80 44 2.5 82.0 75.0 0.0150 0.0071 69.4 73.7 38 0.0028 40 64.7 0.1330 4.24 0.38
58 35 2.0 83.6 76.2 0.0170 0.0081 69.7 72.5 37 0.0031 40 64.0 0.1025 2.73 0.40
64 35 2.5 80.6 74.4 0.0172 0.0080 69.5 71.7 37 0.0031 40 65.2 0.1068 2.95 0.38
67 35 3.0 83.2 75.0 0.0178 0.0080 69.6 71.9 37 0.0031 40 66.7 0.1110 3.27 0.37
70 35 3.5 80.7 73.7 0.0178 0.0078 69.6 71.6 37 0.0031 40 68.0 0.1151 3.60 0.35
52 27.5 2.5 77.7 72.5 0.0142 0.0086 69.4 70.5 31 0.0055 40 64.3 0.0811 2.66 0.39
62 33 2.5 77.9 72.5 0.0143 0.0087 69.4 70.8 31 0.0055 40 63.6 0.0965 3.39 0.40
73 38.5 2.5 78.6 73.2 0.0146 0.0089 69.4 71.4 31 0.0055 40 62.6 0.1093 3.43 0.41
83 44 2.5 80.5 74.4 0.0142 0.0088 69.8 73.2 31 0.0055 40 62.0 0.1213 4.33 0.42
63 35 2.0 85.1 75.0 0.0131 0.0082 66.7 69.6 30 0.0053 40 62.8 0.0947 2.76 0.42
66 35 2.5 85.2 73.9 0.0133 0.0081 66.3 69.0 30 0.0052 40 64.2 0.1038 3.15 0.39
70 35 3.0 81.5 71.5 0.0133 0.0081 66.7 68.3 30 0.0053 40 65.0 0.1054 3.79 0.39
73 35 3.5 75.9 68.9 0.0131 0.0078 66.3 66.7 30 0.0052 40 67.1 0.1136 4.45 0.36
PVC Structured Packing
45 40 4.0 71.2 64.0 0.0112 0.0064 62.2 62.4 31 0.0042 41 68.6 0.1278 5.62 0.362
50 45 4.0 70.8 63.6 0.0111 0.0063 61.8 61.8 31 0.0041 41 68.5 0.1471 6.15 0.355
55 50 4.0 68.7 63.1 0.0115 0.0066 61.6 61.9 31 0.0043 41 68.0 0.1617 6.96 0.359
60 55 4.0 69.8 64.0 0.0117 0.0067 62.6 62.9 31 0.0043 41 67.6 0.1756 8.08 0.363
45 55 2.5 75.3 66.3 0.0149 0.0080 62.4 64.9 31 0.0042 41 64.5 0.1616 6.92 0.394
50 55 3.0 74.2 66.3 0.0147 0.0077 63.5 65.4 31 0.0043 41 67.3 0.1745 7.76 0.366
54 55 3.5 73.9 66.3 0.0147 0.0075 63.8 65.3 31 0.0043 41 69.2 0.1840 7.83 0.347
60 55 4.0 75.3 66.0 0.0147 0.0073 62.8 64.4 31 0.0042 41 70.5 0.1904 8.08 0.335
42 40 4.0 73.9 69.1 0.0127 0.0058 67.1 67.6 37 0.0029 41 70.4 0.1382 4.48 0.336
47 45 4.0 73.2 67.9 0.0126 0.0058 66.0 66.2 37 0.0028 41 69.4 0.1512 5.24 0.345
52 50 4.0 69.6 67.6 0.0101 0.0051 67.0 66.9 37 0.0029 41 69.4 0.1681 5.96 0.359
57 55 4.0 69.4 67.1 0.0105 0.0052 66.3 66.5 37 0.0028 41 68.8 0.1818 7.06 0.345
42 55 2.5 69.9 66.1 0.0103 0.0049 63.6 65.1 38 0.0022 41 66.7 0.1714 5.39 0.372
47 55 3.0 69.6 65.5 0.0103 0.0047 63.5 64.7 38 0.0022 41 69.1 0.1834 6.39 0.348
52 55 3.5 69.4 65.3 0.0103 0.0046 63.5 64.5 38 0.0022 41 70.4 0.1897 6.65 0.336
57 55 4.0 69.2 65.2 0.0103 0.0045 63.8 64.4 38 0.0022 41 71.6 0.1964 7.16 0.325

transfer data for structured packings, dp was replaced

by deq. The dimensionless groups of the mass and heat
transfer correlations were obtained using basic process
variables. Therefore, eqs 5 and 7 may be used for other
liquid desiccant systems. Only the values of the con-
stants will change. As shown later, these values can
be easily obtained if the experimental data for one type
of packing are available.

Results and Discussion

Figure 1. Geometry of the flow channels of structured packings.
The following variables were used to develop correla-
tions for the heat transfer coefficients: air and liquid
mass flow rates, physical properties of the air and liquid,
and packing volume and size. Therefore, the expression
for the heat transfer equation for random packings is
hGA′ ) f(a,dp,kv,G′,L′,X,cp,v,ρv,µv) (6)
The dimensionless groups obtained following a dimen-
sional analysis are given by
In all the experiments, the column was operated in
the range of 50%-80% of the flooding velocities. The
packing height of structured packings in the column was
40 cm, while that for a randomly packed column was
42 cm. As can be seen from Figure 2, the pressure drop
for both of the structured packings was in the same
range as that of the polypropylene Flexi rings up to the
loading point. The column with the cellulose packing
reached the flooding point at a lower air flow rate than
the Flexi ring column. However, the pressure drop was
significantly lower than that for the Berl saddles. The
pressure drop in the column depends on the free gas
space provided by a particular packing. The free gas
space provided by cellulose and PVC structured pack-
ings was 70% and 80%, respectively, whereas it was 86%

( ) ()
for the 5/8-in. Flexi rings and 62% for the 1/2-in. Berl
dp2 L′
γ
saddles. The operating liquid flow rates for both pack-
hGA′a ) R(1 - X)β (Prv)ω(Rev)δ (7)
kv G′ ings were determined from the pressure drop data, since
the equilibrium rate was found to be insufficient to wet
The constants R, β, γ, ω, and δ are estimated from the packings. In the cellulose-packed column, the air
the experimental data. When correlating the heat flow rates were varied from 27.5 to 44 ft3/min and the

Figure 2. Total pressure drop in the 42 cm column packed with
different packings.
Figure 3. Comparison of height of mass transfer units for various
packings in a column during dehumidification of air by lithium
chloride solutions.
liquid flow rates were varied from 2.0 to 3.5 gal/min.
The column could be operated between 50-80% of the
flooding velocity with these flow rates. For the same
flooding conditions, the air and liquid flow rates for the
PVC packing were in the range of 40-55 ft3/min and
2.5 to 4.0 gal/min, respectively.
The efficiency of the column was calculated from
Win - Wout
column efficiency () ) (8)
Win - Wequ
All four packings were found to be equally efficient. An
increase in the column efficiency was observed with an
increase of the liquid flow rate. The column efficiency
decreased with the increase of the air flow rates for all
the packings. The efficiencies of structured packings
that ranged from 65% to 75% were in the same range
as that of the 1/2-in. Berl saddles and 5/8-in. Flexi rings.
It should be noted that in all runs the total volume of
the packings was kept constant. The Berl saddles have
the greatest surface to volume ratio therefore, the total
surface available for the gas-liquid contact is the
highest among all packings. The efficiencies of the two
structured packings were compared with each other and
with the random packings by calculating the height of
a mass transfer unit. The calculated values for the
packings are shown in Figure 3. The difference between
random and structured packings was marginal. The
heights of the transfer unit were within (10% for all
four packings, with Berl saddles being the lowest. The
Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 35, No. 1, 1996 195
Figure 4. Comparison of mass transfer coefficients of LiCl-
water-air system in a column packed with different types of
packings.
Figure 5. Comparison of heat transfer coefficients of lithium
chloride-water-air system in a column packed with different
types of packings.
transfer unit exhibited a linear relationship with the
flooding conditions. The values for the structured
cellulose packing increased from 0.36 to 0.38 m as the
approach to flooding velocity was increased from 50%
to 80%. The liquid flow rate employed in the column
was substantially higher than the values required by
equilibrium considerations. Therefore, the change in
the column efficiency and the heights of a transfer unit
were weak functions of both the air and liquid rates.
The gas phase mass transfer coefficients for the
structured cellulose packing were in the range of 0.08-
0.135 kmol/(m3‚s), while they were in the range of
0.125-0.185 kmol/(m3‚s) for the PVC packing. As can
be seen from Figure 4, the coefficients for the PVC
packing were greater than those for the cellulose pack-
ing by only 5% for the same inlet gas and liquid flow
rates. The coefficients also varied linearly with both
the gas and liquid flow rates. Although the mass
transfer coefficients increased both with an increase in
the gas and liquid rates, the rate of increase was greater
with the gas flow rates than with the liquid rates.
A large difference between the structured and random
packings was observed in the heat transfer character-
istics (see Figure 5). The heat transfer coefficients for
the cellulose and PVC structured packings were in the
range of 2-4.4 kW/(m3‚K) and 4-8 kW/(m3‚K), respec-
tively. The values for the Flexi rings and Berl saddles
were in the range of 5-12 kW/(m3‚K) and 5-10 kW/
(m3‚K), respectively. The heat transfer coefficients were
found to be a stronger function of the air flow rate than
the liquid flow rate. A decrease in the values with the
increase in the desiccant concentration was also ob-
196 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 35, No. 1, 1996

served. Therefore, the salt concentration has an op-

posite effect on heat transfer than on mass transfer. The
viscosity, density, heat capacity, and thermal conductiv-
ity of the lithium chloride solution increase with an
increase in concentration, which also affected the heat
transfer rate between the two phases. As the salt
concentration increases, the water vapor depression
capability of the solution increases resulting in a greater
driving force for mass transfer from the gas to liquid
phase. The increase in viscosity and thermal conductiv-
ity of the solution, however, reduces the heat transfer
rate from the gas to the liquid phase.
The constants, R, β, γ, ω, and δ of the correlations
given by eqs 5 and 7 were obtained from a nonlinear
regression of the experimental data for only one type of Figure 6. Comparison of the experimental data (Bichowsky and
packing. The experimental data for the 5/8-in. polypro- Kelley, 1935) with predictions by different correlations.
pylene Flexi rings were used to obtain the exponents
for random packings, whereas the data for the cross
corrugated cellulose based packing were employed to
obtain the correlation for structured packings. The
mass transfer correlations for the random and struc-
tured packings are given
random packing:

KGAa ( )
Mtdp2
Dvρv
)

()
0.27
L′
1.326 × 10-4(1 - X)-0.94 (Scv)0.333(Rev)1.16 (9)
G′
Figure 7. Comparison between predicted and experimental mass
structured packing: transfer coefficients for random packings.

( )
guides and dimensionless analysis can be used for
Mtdeq2 planning experiments and interpreting the results in
KGAa
Dvρv the form of demensionless groups.
)

()
0.10 Heat and mass transfer coefficients calculated from
L′ the experimental data during an absorption process
2.25 × 10-4(1 - X)-0.75 (Scv)0.333(Rev)1.0 (10)
G′ were used to test the new correlations. The experimen-
tal data of Bichowsky and Kelley (1935), who employed
A similar method was used to obtain the constants
2 in. clay Raschig rings, were used to compare various
for the heat transfer correlations. The data for 5/8-in.
mass transfer correlations. The predicted values from
polypropylene Flexi rings and cross corrugated cellulose
these correlation are compared with the experimental
packings were used to obtain the exponents for the
data in Figure 6. The new correlation provided the best
random and structured packing correlations, respec-
estimate of the data. It may be noted that the value of
tively. The correlations are
the exponents of the correlation given by eq 9 were
random packing: obtained using the data for polypropylene Flexi rings
only. The correlation of Bolles and Fair provided a

hGA′a ( )
dp2
kv
)
better estimate of the data than that of Gandhidasan
et al. (1986) and Onda et al. (1968). However, the

()
correlations of Gandhidasan et al. were developed for
0.50 Raschig rings and Berl saddles using data from calcium
L′
5.20 × 10-5(1 - X)1.56 (Prv)0.333(Rev)1.6 (11) chloride-water systems. Deviations between predicted
G′ values and the experimental data for various types of
structured packing: random packings are summarized in Figure 7. The new

( )
correlation for mass transfer coefficients predicted the
deq2 data within (10%. A similar result was obtained for
hGA′a structured packings (see Figure 8).
kv
)

()
0.40
L′
1.8
2.78 × 10 (1 - X)
-6
(Prv)0.333(Rev)1.6 (12)
G′
The heat and mass transfer correlations developed in
the present study did not follow the Colburn analogy.
It may be noted that the Colburn analogy does not have
a theoretical basis; therefore, not necessarily do heat
and mass tranfer correlations for the LiCl-air-water
sytems have to satisfy the Colburn analogy. According
to McCabe and Smith (1967, p 629), analogies among
friction, heat transfer, and mass transfer are useful
The proposed correlation for heat transfer coefficients
(eq 11) provided the best estimate of the data of
Bichowsky and Kelley (1935). Differences between the
predicted values for heat transfer coefficients and the
experimental values were in the range of 0.1%-4.3%.
The values predicted by the McAdams et al.’s correlation
were higher by a factor of 3 (see Figure 9). The
predicted heat transfer coefficients for other packings
are compared with the experimental data in Figure 10.
As can be seen from this figure, the differences between
the predicted and experimental values were within
(10% for both correlations.

Figure 8. Comparison between predicted and experimental mass
transfer coefficients for structured packings.
Figure 9. Comparison of the experimental data (Bichowsky and
Kelley, 1935) with the predictions by different correlations.
Figure 10. Comparison between predicted and experimental heat
transfer coefficients for random packings.
The data obtained with cross corrugated cellulose and
PVC packings were used to test correlations for struc-
tured packings. Predicted values were within (10% of
the experimental data. The results are shown in Figure
11.
Conclusions
All four packings used in the present study were
found to be equally efficient in dehumidifying air under
similar operating conditions. However, a column packed
with Berl saddles approached the flooding condition at
a lower air flow rate for a particular liquid flow rate
compared to other packings due to the availability of
less free gas space. The height of the mass transfer
units for these packings was also in the same range.
The values were within (10% of each other. This was
due mainly to the use of liquid flow rates that were
determined on the basis of the wetting characteristics
of the packings, since the flow rates calculated from the
Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 35, No. 1, 1996 197
Figure 11. Comparison between predicted and experimental heat
transfer coefficients for structured packings.
equilibrium data were found to be too small to wet the
packings. However, a large difference was observed in
the heat transfer coefficients between the random and
structured packings. The heat transfer coefficient in a
randomly packed column was always higher than that
in a structured column.
A single correlation for either mass or heat transfer
coefficients could not be used to correlate the data for
both the random and structured packings. However,
the dimensionless groups for both heat and mass
transfer correlations remained the same for both the
radom and structured packings. Only the values of the
exponents changed.
Nomenclature
a ) specific interfacial surface area of the packing, m2/m3
cp,w ) heat capacity of water vapor, kJ/(kg‚K)
cp,air ) heat capacity of dry air (water-free basis), kJ/(kg‚K)
cp,v ) heat capacity of the gas (water + dry air), kJ/(kg‚K)
dc ) column diameter, m
deq ) equivalent diameter, m
dp ) diameter (or nominal size) of packing, m
Dv ) diffusion coefficient for key component, m2/s
G ) superficial molar velocity of air, kmol/(s‚m2)
G′ ) mass velocity of air, kg/(m2‚s)
hGA ) heat transfer coefficient, kW/m2‚K)
hGA′ ) heat transfer coefficient corrected for mass transfer,
kW/(m2‚K)
*M ) interface at equilibrium
kv ) gas thermal conductivity, kW/(m‚K)
KGA ) overall gas phase mass transfer coefficient, kmol/
(s‚m2‚[mole fraction])
L′ ) liquid mass velocity, kg/(m2‚s)
Mt ) molecular weight of water, kg/kmol
Nt ) mass transfer flux, kmol/(m2‚s)
Prv ) Prandtl number, cpvµv/kv
Rev ) Reynolds number, dcFvV/µv
Scv ) Schmidt number, µv/DvFv
ti ) temperature at the gas-liquid interface, K
tG,in ) temperature of air at the inlet, K
tG,out ) temperature of air at the outlet, K
V ) gas flow rate through the column, m/s
Win ) water content of inlet air stream, g/kg of dry air
Wout ) water content of outlet air stream, g/kg of dry air
Wequ ) water content of the air at equilibrium with the
desiccant solution at a particular concentration and
temperature, g/kg of dry air
X ) mass fraction of the salt in liquid solution, kg/kg
YA ) mass fraction of water vapor in dry air, kg/kg of dry
air
yA ) mole fraction of water vapor in the bulk phase, kmol/
kmol of gas mixture
yA,a ) mole fraction of water vapor at the top of the column,
kmol/kmol of gas mixture
198 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., Vol. 35, No. 1, 1996
yA,b ) mole fraction of water vapor at the bottom of the
column, kmol/kmol of gas mixture
yA* ) equilibrium mole fraction of water vapor in the air,
kmol/kmol of gas mixture
Z ) height of packing, m
Fv ) density of gas, kg/m3
µv ) viscosity of the gas, kg/(m‚s)
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Received for review November 8, 1994
Revised manuscript received May 24, 1995
Accepted September 19, 1995X
IE940652U
X Abstract published in Advance ACS Abstracts, December
1, 1995.