Performance of packed columns VII. The effect of holdup on gas‐phase mass transfer rates

Abstract

Abstract To account for the differences in the gas‐phase mass transfer coefficients obtained by the use of vaporization and absorption techniques, data were obtained for ring and saddle packings in a 12‐in. diam. column employing water vaporization and methanol absorption. The ratio of the vaporization to absorption coefficient, corrected for differences in diffusivity, is found to be directly proportional to the ratio of the total holdup to the operating holdup in confirmation of the proposed model in which the effective interfacial area for each type of operation is proportional to the holdup of the liquid active for that operation.