Separation of Gas Mixture by Packed Thermal Diffusion Column

Abstract

The results of theoretical and experimental studies of “packing effect” on separation of gas mixture by a packed thermal diffusion column are as follows : (1) from analytical discussions of batch system transport equation derived by Lorenz-Emery, it was found that Y_max, which gave a maximum packing effect on separation, existed at P≡K_DF/K_CF<1, where Y≡ω/√ k, k is permeability of packing and w is half the distance between the plates. (2) continuous-flow transport equations for a packed thermal diffusion column were developed by the same method that Jones-Furry used for an open column. The developed equation agreed with the experimental data on the whole. (3) to investigate a series of packing effects on separation by packings, the relations of properties of packings between packing coefficiently and void fraction ε were obtained previously by hydraulic experiments. Both separation results of batch and continuous flow experiments were satisfied generally by the theoretical calculation, using the hydraulic relation.