The influence of substance structures as well as the mesh size of gauze on the flow dynamics and mass transfer behaviour of falling liquid film

has been studied experimentally. One smooth plate and six gauze plates with mesh size in the range of 0.3—13.0 mm were chosen as test plates. The results show that the film wave amplitude increases in the flow direction for both types of structures

and the gauze structure has an obvious suppressive effect on the film wave behaviour at low Reynolds number (Re). The variations of average film thickness and wave amplitude along the flow direction for the gauze plates are less noticeable in comparison with those over a smooth one

and the film wave behaviour for the gauze substance is much more sensitive to the liquid flow rate when Re<80. In addition

it is found that the average film thickness

film wave amplitude and fluctuation frequency for the gauze plates follow similar trend with mesh size goes up from 0.3 to 13.0 mm: the values initially increase to a peak value

then decrease obviously. Furthermore

the results from CO2 absorption into NaOH solutions reveal that when increasing the mesh size

the corresponding liquid side mass transfer coefficient decreases rapidly

but the contribution of unit wires to mass transfer rate increases remarkably.