Drop breakup and entrainment in the updraft. Issue 8 (10th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Hai‐Feng; Wang, Yu‐Fan; Zhao, Hui; Li, Wei‐Feng; Xu, Jian‐Liang
• Is Part Of: AIChE journal. Volume 68:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-04-10
• Subjects: drop breakup -- entrainment -- gas–liquid countercurrent -- secondary atomization; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; 660.28
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.17704
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-1541

Abstract

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the characteristics of gas–liquid countercurrent contact processes. In spray towers or other applications, several drops containing pollutants are entrained by the updraft flue gas, which can easily cause environmental pollution. Traditionally, this drop entrainment phenomenon is alleviated by increasing the diameter of the drops. However, the breakup of a large drop would also cause drop entrainment to become serious, a process referred to as secondary atomization. Herein, we propose the boundary of three drop modes in the updraft: drop falling mode, reverse entrainment mode, and breakup entrainment mode. The critical Weber number ( We ) is the key dimensionless number marking the beginning of the drop breakup. The ratio of the drag force to gravity and We are proposed as criteria for the drop entrainment.