Study on Net Cross-Zone Flow Characteristics of Composite Tridimensional Rotational Flow Sieve Tray
The composite tridimensional rotational flow sieve tray (CTRST) integrates a packing zone and a swirl zone to enhance gas-liquid contact, yet its application range and structural optimization are hindered by unclear cross-zone flow distribution mechanisms. This study experimentally investigates gas-liquid cross-zone distribution and flow loss in both zones, introducing net cross-zone flow proportions for gas and liquid phases to quantify inter-zone flow. Under tested conditions, the net liquid cross-zone flow proportion ranged from -0.325 to -0.370, indicating net liquid flow from the swirl zone to the packing zone, while the net gas flow proportion ranged from 0.022 to 0.310, indicating net gas flow from the packing zone to the swirl zone. Analysis of loss flow ratios revealed that liquid spray density and gas kinetic energy factor had minor influence on net liquid loss flow proportion (always less than -0.037), suggesting low resistance to liquid exchange. Conversely, gas loss flow proportion varied significantly from -0.047 to -0.319, indicating substantial resistance to gas cross-zone interaction. This gas loss ratio initially increased then decreased with liquid spray density, peaking at 92.26 m3/(m2·h), and increased with gas kinetic energy factor. A predictive model for net cross-zone flow proportions was developed, correlating operational parameters with flow loss intensity, providing theoretical support for optimizing tray design and operation.