Mass-transfer in rotating packed beds—II. Experimental results and comparison with theory and gravity flow

This paper presents the first reported set of experimental measurements, based on chemical absorption of CO2 in NaOH, of gas—liquid interfacial areas and liquid-side gas—liquid mass-transfer coefficients in a rotating bed as a function of rotational speed and liquid flow rate. It is shown that both increase with rotational speed. Reasons for higher contacting efficiency and higher exchange in rotating beds than in gravity flow are outlined. Liquid—solid volumetric mass-transfer coefficients are also experimentally determined and found to be significantly higher than in gravity flow. The experimental data confirm the theoretical correlations developed in Part I of this paper.