Abstract: Non-uniform flow distribution along the axial direction usually exists in a Z-flow type radial flow adsorber which will decrease the utilization of adsorbents and even result in operating safety problems in cryogenic air separation. The structure parameters in a differential equation which determined the flow characteristics of Z-flow type radial flow adsorber were dimensionlessly processed, and the effects of structure parameters on flow distribution in the adsorber were investigated. The theoretical result of the flow distribution in an experimental radial flow adsorber was in agreement with the experimental data. Reducing the axial height of adsorption bed and the diameter of adsorbent particle could significantly improve flow distribution in the Z-flow type radial flow adsorber. However, the amount of processed air had little impact on flow distribution when kinematic viscosity of air and other structure parameters remained unchanged.

Key words: radial flow, adsorption, flow characteristics, structure parameters, optimization, model

摘要： 径向流吸附器通常存在流体沿轴向床层分布不均匀，从而导致吸附剂利用率下降和空分系统运行安全性问题。通过对表征Z型径向流吸附器流动特性的微分控制方程中包含的结构参数进行量纲1化，系统地研究了各结构参数对吸附器内流体分布的影响。同时针对实验室已有的一台Z型径向流吸附器，采用理论求解和实验数据对照的方法验证了模型的可靠性。结果表明，减小吸附床层轴向高度和吸附剂颗粒直径能显著提高Z型径向流吸附器内流体分布的均匀性；当空气的运动黏度和其他结构参数不变时，吸附器的空气处理量在一定范围内变化对吸附床层内流体的均匀性影响不大。

关键词: 径向流, 吸附, 流动特性, 结构参数, 优化, 模型