Abstract
Liquid flow rate distribution in a rectangular trickle bed with non-uniformly packed structure was experimentally studied. Two kinds of particles with different diameters were packed in each side of the packed bed at a certain angle. Glass beads were used for the hydrophilic particles, and glass beads coated with PTFE for the hydrophobic ones. Two-dimensional distribution of liquid flow rate was measured. Also a point-source tracer experiment was performed to observe the local liquid flow.
Much of the liquid flows into the small particle side for the hydrophilic bed. The result is vice versa for the hydrophobic bed. These tendencies become more remarkable as the packed angle increases. An experimental equation on liquid distribution in the trickle bed with non-uniformly packed structure is proposed as a function of Capillary numbers of both particles and the packed angle.
