Koch-Glitsch

 

Often process engineers may want liquid distributors for packed columns to have certain mechanical design limits. Of the properties many people consider important are the metering orifice size, distribution point density, and liquid head on the distributor.

 

It may be desirable to limit the minimum metering orifice size due to fouling concerns. Distribution point density is a property many feel is important to maximize in making a high performance liquid distributor. The liquid head on the distributor will influence the flow variation between distribution points. Unfortunately, these three properties go hand-in-hand. If an engineer specifies a point density of 10 points/square foot and a minimum orifice size of 0.25” and a minimum liquid head of 2 inches of fluid, and a flow rate of 3gpm/sqft, the distributor is overspecified. In reality, if the point density, orifice size and flow rate are as described above, the liquid head will be approximately 1.38 inches.

 

To achieve the specified minimum liquid head requirement
at the design flow rate, either the orifice size must be decreased or the point density must be reduced. Rather
than risk overspecification of distributors, the best option
is to discuss the alternatives with your representative from Koch-Glitsch.

 

 

 

 

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