Sieve Tray Efficiency using CFD Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

In this work, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are developed and used to predict sieve tray hydrodynamics and mass transfer. The models consider the three-dimensional two-phase flow of vapor (or gas) and liquid in which each phase is treated as an interpenetrating continuum having separate transport equations. Interaction between the two phases occurs via interphase momentum and species mass transfers. For the CFD analysis, the commercial package CFX 14 of ANSYS was employed. Clear liquid height and vapor phase Murphree point and tray efficiencies are predicted for ten stages each of two distillation columns for two binary fluid systems. Predicted results are in agreement with selected existing correlations that have been accepted to give reasonably accurate predictions. The objective of the work was studying the extent to which CFD modeling and simulation can be used as a prediction and design tool and method for sieve tray mass transfer and efficiency. It is concluded that CFD modeling and simulation can be used as a powerful tool and method for sieve mass transfer modeling and simulation and hence can be used as a very valuable tool and method for tray design and analysis.

Keywords: Sieve Tray, Tray Efficiency, Tray Design and Analysis, CFD Modeling and Simulation, Mass Transfer