(85b) Performance Comparison of Structured Packing Liquid Holdup and Pressure Drop Correlations

This paper presents an analysis and comparison of popular liquid holdup and pressure drop correlations developed for structured packing. Correlation performance was analyzed using a screened database containing the literature liquid holdup and pressure drop data. This database includes FRI pressure drop data which have been released to the public. The screening process excludes data points from very high pressure test runs and flooding data. The full database consists of 938 pressure drop data points and 368 liquid holdup data points obtained from 7 different sources. A total of 24 different structured packings are present in this database. This database consists of data from both hydrocarbon and aqueous system.

Liquid holdup performance results are documented for following correlations: Billet (1999), Del Carlo (2006), Delft (2011), Gualito (1997), Mackowiak (1991), Pondebat (1992), Spiegel (1992), SRP (1993) and Stichlmair (1989).

Pressure drop performance results are documented for following correlations: Billet (1999), Brunazzi (1997), Delft (2011), Gualito (1997), Iliuta (2001), Mackowiak (1991), Pondebat (1992), Spiegel (1992), SRP (1993) and Stichlmair (1989). Performance of the correlations was evaluated based on different factors e.g., types of packings and types of systems, etc. The paper concludes with an overall summary of the findings.