The influence of modular structure on the hydrodynamics of catalytic structured packings for reactive separation processes

Residence time distribution (RTD) and drainage experiments are used to shed light on the hydrodynamics of the catalytic structured packing Katapak-SP11. The liquid flow behaviour and the dynamic liquid holdup were derived from RTD results and compared with the total liquid holdup obtained from drainage experiments. The liquid considered static from the viewpoint of free-draining experiments becomes dynamic during the normal column operation. The examination of liquid drainage curves and the consistency of different techniques are discussed.