Hydrodynamics of cocurrent gas liquid so

This study investigates the hydrodynamic behavior of a cocurrent gas-liquid-solid semifluidized bed, focusing on extensive parameters such as pressure drop, gas holdup, and onset liquid velocity for semifluidization. In a systematic approach, separate experiments on packed and fluidized beds were conducted to closely resemble the flow conditions present in the semifluidized bed. The pressure drop was measured experimentally and demonstrated favorable agreement with predictions from model equations. A significant contribution of this research is the successful adoption of the separated flow concept to describe the pressure drop behavior in cocurrent gas-liquid flow through the packed bed section. Furthermore, the friction factor between the liquid and solid components within the packed bed is defined and empirically correlated as a function of relevant parameters. The findings highlight the unique hydrodynamic characteristics of the cocurrent gas-liquid-solid system, differentiating it from previous studies primarily focused on gas-solid or liquid-solid systems. This work extends the understanding of semifluidization processes, which can potentially enhance the design and optimization of reactors and separation units in chemical engineering applications.