Pressure Drop and Its Reduction in Trickle Bed Using Xanthan Gum

Abstract

AbstractPressure drop is an important parameter in the design and energy requirements of the trickle bed. Pressure reduction is one of the most important techniques for reducing energy consumption in a trickle bed. The present work involves an experimental investigation on pressure drop and pressure reduction using xanthan gum as pressure reducing agent (PRA). Pressure reduction is quantified from the pressure drop data. Based on the present observations, it is found that the percentage pressure reduction increases with an increase in the concentration of PRA and it is only effective in the range of 200–600 ppm. The experimental results indicate that a maximum of 73% pressure reduction is achievable using xanthan gum (600 ppm) as PRA.