Prospectus

Return to Table of Contents Volunteer to help write Position Paper

OR-8 Operation of an Air/Water Simulator Expected Benefit toMembers:

Developmental Research Idea

Air/water experiments are easy to monitor, provide fast information to fluid dynamic flow behavior and can supply additional information to FRI database. In addition to fluid dynamic research heat transfer investigations can be performed and are of high interest to the industry using aqueous systems. Present Situation and Proposed Research: The list of FRI experimental research projects includes numerous interesting topics that could be investigated using an air/water system. These projects currently compete for experimental unit time with interesting but time-consuming proprietary equipment tests. This conflict can be resolved through the operation of an air/water simulator. Proposed Internals and Test System: None. Estimated Unit Time: The installation of a new/innovative air/water test unit will take a time frame of more than 1 year. Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): Construction of an air/water test unit would cost roughly $1MM. A likely alternative is to contract the work. Background and Discussion: There are research topics that can be also investigated in an air/water simulator instead of a distillation unit. Air/water test results will also enlarge the FRI data base and will allow fitting the FRI correlations to a wider range of physical properties. Samples are: • Verification of CFD modeling of fluid flow on trays, packings and tower internals • Performing CO2 absorption tests in caustic solutions to determine effective mass transfer surface areas • Studying CO2 absorption in “high” viscosity liquids • Investigation of fouling systems\ • Performing absorption tests with various chemical reactions in the liquid phase • Studying heat transfer efficiencies of spray distributors or packing/trays devices • Studying entrainment dynamics of tower internals. ----the list does not claim to be complete and further ideas are welcome to be added. Running an air/water simulator in parallel to a distillation unit will maximize the information for FRI members and will reduce cost in bypassing distillation tests. FRI has contracted two air/water tests at the Zhejiang University of Technology (ZUT) in China using their 4-foot air/water simulator. The cost of the tests was somewhat less than the labor and operating costs for a similar unit in the US. This represents a viable alternative to complete at least some of this work.

PROSPECTUS

Page | 68