Estimation of the efficiency of packed mass-transfer devices.

The problems of assessing the effectiveness of packed mass-transfer devices in relation to distillation processes have been considered. The authors have shown that the existing dependences of determining the height equivalent to a theoretical plate cannot be used to calculate tray columns and columns with vortex packings, the contact surfaces of the phases and coefficients of mass transfer of which depend substantially on the water concentration (reflux ratio) and gas rate (vapor for distillation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]