Flow pattern of the phases and liquid saturation in gas†liquid concurrent downflow through packed beds

Flow pattern was visually observed for non‐foaming and foaming Newtonian and non‐Newtonian liquids under concurrent downflow with air in packed beds using different configurations of column geometry and packins. Flow maps delineating the different flow regions were presented based on the present study as well as that of earlier investigations. The total and dynamic liquid saturation were experimentally measured and correlations were presented in terms of (i) the Lockhart‐Martinelli parameter, χ, and (ii) the flow variables. Copyright © 1988 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering