Design and Hydrodynamics of a Novel Multidowncomer Bubble-Breaking Tray

Abstract

A novel multidowncomer bubble-breaking (MDBB) tray was designed based on the “droplet bubble-breaking” method to enhance the mass transfer process. The hydrodynamic parameters of the MDBB tray, including the gas–liquid flow pattern, gas holdup, dry pressure drop, clear liquid height, residual pressure drop, and wet pressure drop, were investigated through experiments and computational fluid dynamics. The modeling equations applicable to the MDBB tray were developed. The bubble size in the liquid layer was analyzed. A comparison of the mass transfer capacities of the traditional sieve trays, multidowncomer (MD) trays, and MDBB trays was conducted by using CO₂ absorption experiments. The results indicated that the liquid phase flow on the MDBB tray transitioned from transverse to longitudinal. The average gas holdup on the MDBB tray was found to be 66.3% higher than that on the sieve trays. The increase in wet pressure drop corresponds to a higher liquid flow rate. A wet pressure drop prediction model was established, demonstrating a maximum error of 7.34%. The MDBB tray’s CO₂ absorption capacity increased by an average of 29.9% compared to the MD trays and by an average of 36.6% compared to traditional sieve trays.