Total value: £100 k
In this study a method to coat metallic wire mesh packing with using sol-gel was successfully investigated. The thickness and distribution of the coating was investigated by a parametric analysis for several ratio such as the acid, water and Al content. Microscopic and SEM tests showed that the coating have a uniform thickness and adhesive tests were conducted to ensure the coating is well attached to the Dixon rings surface. This coating method can be used for any type of metallic wire mesh substrate to produce alumina coating with tunable thickness. Knowing the changing the surface properties using coating results in changing the surface energy and the contact angles. A microscopic study was implemented to investigate the liquid flow behaviour for coated and uncoated Dixon rings using 3D VOF model and imaging experiments. The values of the liquid holdup and the effective surface area from 3D model were compared to results from literature. It was discovered that the coated Dixon rings have a hydrophobic nature while the uncoated rings have hydrophilic properties. On a macroscopic level the pressure drop, liquid holdup and mass transfer value were reported for Dixon rings for the first time. Based on the experimental data model were developed to predict the dry pressure drop and the loading point. The model showed good reliability with SE less than 5%.