Experimental studies of hydrodynamic characteristics of heat and mass transfer devices in air-water systems

Ingehim operates an experimental research laboratory specializing in hydrodynamic testing of air-water systems. The laboratory is extensively used for testing developed heat and mass transfer devices.

Test rig for hydrodynamic testing of heat and mass transfer devices

All work is performed by technicians with extensive hands-on experience, under the guidance of engineers holding Ph.D. or D.Sc. degrees. We also offer high-quality testing services for various heat and mass transfer devices to external organizations.

The customer receives a technical report upon completion of the work.

If you are interested, please send us a complete description of the experiments via email so that our specialists can estimate the cost and timeline of the work.

 

Schematic and operating principle of the test rig

Schematic of the test rig for hydrodynamic testing of heat and mass transfer devices

The experimental test stand features a shell-type column designed to accommodate shells with diameters up to 1200 mm in the testing section of the column (pos. 1). Shells with diameters ranging from 300 to 1200 mm can be used to measure the pressure drop through a packed layer with a depth of 0.5 to 2 meters.

The air inlet section (pos. 2), featuring a 1-meter diameter shell, is equipped with a device designed to create a uniform distribution of the gas stream across the cross-sectional area of the apparatus.

The bottom of the column (position 3), with a diameter of 1.5 m and a volume of 1.8 m³, contains a hydraulic lock with a depth of 600 mm.

Air is pumped into the column (pos. 1) by a turbine compressor (pos. 5) through a 300 mm diameter pipe (pos. 4). The maximum capacity of the air blower is 8,000 m³/h at a gauge pressure of 20 kPa. A flow meter (FT1) is installed in the discharge line. The flow meter features a remote panel that displays current parameter values and includes an RS485 output for connection to the controller-based control system.

To measure the temperature in the measuring zone, the column is equipped with temperature sensors TT1 through TT4, which are connected to secondary instruments via an RS485 interface at the exit.

Control of pressure loss in the contact device layer is achieved using differential pressure sensors PDI1 through PDI6.

To prevent the formation of water blockages inside pulse tubes, a device designed to remove water from the pulse tubes is installed. This device functions as a hydraulic lock. Signals from the lock’s air-filled chamber are transmitted to the control panel. Sampling “noise” encountered during pressure drop measurements is eliminated by a U-shaped vessel with an extended section, which is connected to the P+ and P- outlets of the pressure drop meters.

Irrigation of the top of the column with water is accomplished by a pump (pos. 6) with a capacity of up to 40 m³/h. The pump is supplied with water from the bottom of the column (pos. 2). Water enters the pump suction line through valves B1 and B2 (pos. 6).

A device for measuring water flow rate (FT2) with an RS485 output, along with a temperature sensor (TT6) and a pressure sensor (PT2), is installed on the discharge pipe.

At low water flow rates (up to 450 L/h), rotameters FT3 and FT4 are used. The operator manually sets the flow rates using control valves B1 and B2 and records them in a log.

The frequency converter ПЧ2, equipped with an RS232 output, is used to control the pump. A bypass line is installed on the pump manifold to facilitate control of the pump at low flow rates.

The system supplies water in quantities required to achieve an irrigation rate of 140 m³/m²·h.

The test stand allows the use of one of several available liquid distributors to achieve the desired liquid distribution. Replacement of a distributor can be arranged without shutting down the equipment. The distributors provide uniform irrigation due to the high density of irrigation points for liquid flow (100 points per square meter).

A centrifugal vortex-type tray is installed at the top of the apparatus to suppress droplet re-entrainment. The separated liquid passes through a specialized hydraulic lock and metering devices before returning to the bottom of the column.