The hydrodynamics of perform trays were studied using air-water system in a column with a 1200 x 400mm rectangular cross section to determine the effect of tray geometrical parameters and operating conditions on the pressure drop

entrainment and weeping. Geometrical variables and operating range were mainly as follows: slot widths

3

3.5

4

4.5 and 4.7mm; tray free areas

9.9

12.3

14.9 and 15.4%; deflector widths

150

200

250 and 300mm; tray spa-cings

400

500

600

700 and 800mm; liquid flow rates per unit weir length

20

30

45 and 60m3/m.h; and superficial gas velocities

0.60 to 2.8m/s. Experimental data were correlated and correlations were presented for calculating the pressure drop

entrainment and liquid weeping. Furthermore

based on the experimental results for the entrainment and weeping from the tray

the expressions were given also to predict the upper limiting hole velocity at which the entrainment from the tray is 10%

the lower limiting hole velocity at which the liquid weeping from the tray is 5%. In addition

the effect of inlet weir on the weeping were tested and a simiempirical model was derived for the inlet weir design. These correlations

as mentioned above

can be applied to the design of perform trays.