Abstract: A computational fluid-dynamics model is presented for predicting the two-phase two-
dimensional liquid phase flow on a distillation column tray based on the modification of
Navier-Stokes Equation by considering both the resistance and the enhanced turbulence
created by the uprising vapor. Experimental measurement of the local liquid phase velocity
on an air-water simulator of 1.2 m in diameter by using the hot film anemometer is briefly
described. Two of the conventional fluid-dynaxmic constants are readjusted for the case of
liquid flow on a tray by fitting the experimental data. The predicted local liquid phase
velocity and direction of flow by the present model are confirmed satisfactorily by the
authors’ experimental measurements and by the data from literature. By the aid of the
present model, the concentration field on the tray can be computed for the evaluation of
the enhancement of liquid phase concentration across a tray. The advantages of applying
computational fluid-dynamics to tray column design are discussed.

Key words: computational fluid-dynamics, gas-liquid two-phase flow, distillation column tray, fluid mechanics, concentration profile

摘要： A computational fluid-dynamics model is presented for predicting the two-phase two-
dimensional liquid phase flow on a distillation column tray based on the modification of
Navier-Stokes Equation by considering both the resistance and the enhanced turbulence
created by the uprising vapor. Experimental measurement of the local liquid phase velocity
on an air-water simulator of 1.2 m in diameter by using the hot film anemometer is briefly
described. Two of the conventional fluid-dynaxmic constants are readjusted for the case of
liquid flow on a tray by fitting the experimental data. The predicted local liquid phase
velocity and direction of flow by the present model are confirmed satisfactorily by the
authors’ experimental measurements and by the data from literature. By the aid of the
present model, the concentration field on the tray can be computed for the evaluation of
the enhancement of liquid phase concentration across a tray. The advantages of applying
computational fluid-dynamics to tray column design are discussed.

关键词: computational fluid-dynamics;gas-liquid two-phase flow;distillation column tray;fluid mechanics;concentration profile