Evaluation of Multicomponent Mass and Energy Transfer through Vapor-Liquid Interfaces

S. D. KEEGAN; G. D. MAZZA; G. F. BARRETO

JOURNAL OF THE TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2001 vol. 32 p. 23 - 35

1876-1070

The solution of mass and heat transfer equations based on the Maxwell-Stefan approach through vapor-liquid interfaces is analysed. The performance of the Newton method and two equation-tearing algorithms are compared. One of the equation-tearing algorithms is the method employed by Mori et al. (1996). The second one (META) is a modification presented in this contribution.The behaviour of mass transfer and equilibrium relationships is undertaken as a first step in this study as this subset of equations defines the internal loop of both equation-tearing algorithms. From the analysis carried out a set of examples are selected (based on distillation and condensation problems) to evaluate the numerical procedures.Mori et al. (1996) algorithm either fails to converge or it does making making many iterations when mass transfer coefficients in both phases are of the same order. Instead, the Newton method and META do not show instances of divergence. The results found in this contribution show a significant saving in CPU time when using the META instead of the Newton method. Recalling the fact that the evaluation of interfacial fluxes will be one of the crucial building blocks in simulating liquid-vapor contacting devices with fully rated models, the META offers an appropriate alternative.