Flooding in Wetted-Wall Columns

Kamei et al. (K6), 1954 Experimental determination of flooding points in wetted-wall columns of i.d. 1.89-4.91 cm., using various liquids and air counter-flow. 

Recently Bashforth et al. (B15) have made a study of the special region in which the transition from countercurrent to cocurrent liquid flow occurs with vertical upward gas flow. At this point, the liquid film is suspended, and the net liquid flow rate is zero corresponding to the limiting flooding case for wetted wall columns. 

Liquid and vapor flow countercurrently through openings between and within packing elements. At low vapor rates, there is relatively little disturbance of liquid by the vapor, and mass transfer proceeds in a fashion similar to that in a wetted wall column. At higher rates, there is considerable interaction between the phases, with vapor flow causing increases in liquid turbulence and holdup. In the so-called loading zone, there is an enhancement of mass transfer but, as rates are increased further, flooding occurs. 

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