The effect of surface active agents on the mass transfer coefficient in vertical film flow of liquid over the surface of expanded metal sheet packing

Abstract

Experimental data have been used on absorption of poorly soluble gases, helium, carbon dioxide, and propane, to study the mechanism of interfacial mass transfer in vertical gravitational film flow down the surface of the expanded metal sheet. It has been found that upon addition of surface active agents into water, the original almost freely moving liquid-gas interfacial surface behaves similarly as a liquid-solid surface. Two adjustable hydrodynamic parameters have been evaluated on the basis of the film penetration theory with the physical meaning of the dimensionless thickness of an unmixed region near the interface ϑ+ = 0.4 and the characteristic length < scale of the disturbance λ+ = 26.4.