Influence of added packing on the volumetric efficiency in a Karr column

Dispersed phase holdup and volumetric mass transfer coefficient were measured in a reciprocating plate column with high porosity packing in interplate spaces of the column and the performance was compared with that of the column without packing. The data and its analysis show substantial increase in the dispersed phase holdup and in the interfacial area to give an enhancement of 4 to 5 times in the volumetric efficiency of the column with the added packing.