Fluid Dynamic Characterization in Miniaturized Measuring Cells: Pressure Drop and Hold up for Absorption Column Design

The design of absorption columns requires reliable hydraulic data as well as a good understanding of local hydrodynamic phenomena such as flow redistribution and wall flow. However, experimental validation with laboratory- or pilot-scale columns is costly and provides only limited insight into these local effects. In this study, a miniaturized measuring cell designed to reduce setup size and costs while minimizing wall effects is characterized based on the fluid dynamics of structured packings under air/water conditions. For this setup, pressure drop and liquid hold up are measured up to liquid loads of <90 m³m - ²h -1 and compared with literature data as well as established correlations. In addition, the influence of different hydrodynamic phenomena, including initial liquid maldistribution, wall flow, and packing interfaces, is analyzed. The results show good agreement with characteristic hydraulic trends reported for conventional columns, while deviations occur mainly in the loading region. The study demonstrates that miniaturized measuring cells provide a suitable experimental platform for comparative hydraulic investigations and for analyzing local flow effects relevant to absorption column design.