Velocity distribution and liquid flow patterns on industrial sieve trays.

The objective of this work was to measure the flow parameters which define the non uniform flow patterns used in theoretical models to predict tray efficiency. Stagnant zone areas and flow recirculation parameters were correlated to dimensionless variables which are representative of tray design and flow conditions. Experiments were performed in a 1.25 m air/water simulator to measure velocity distributions in sieve trays with 5% downcomer area, as a function of hole area, weir height and liquid and vapour rates. (from paper)