Integral Experiments and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Lab‐Scale Liquid Distributors

Liquid maldistribution in packed beds can significantly reduce process efficiency and is strongly influenced by the liquid distributor design. In this work, four lab‐scale liquid distributors based on gravity‐ and pressure‐driven operating principles were investigated at two liquid loads. Their performance was evaluated using flow maps and the maldistribution factor, revealing substantial differences between designs. The distributor providing the most homogeneous distribution was further analyzed regarding flow stability, gas load, and packing interaction. Compared to a single‐point liquid distribution, the proposed distributor reduced maldistribution and wall flow. Magnetic resonance imaging measurements showed a progressive deterioration of the flow homogeneity along the packing height.