Phase distribution measurements in metallic foam packing using X-ray radiography and micro-tomography

Some structural and hydrodynamic properties of RCM-NCX-1116, a Ni-Cr metallic foam packing manufactured by Recemat International B.V (The Netherlands) are investigated using X-ray radiography and X-ray micro-tomography. Local values of porosity and pore diameters are measured on a foam sample 3D image obtained with a Skyscan-1172 high-resolution desk-top micro-CT system operated at 100 kV. Structural parameters computed on tomography images agree well with manufacturer data. Hydrodynamic tests are performed in a flat rectangular column packed with a sheet of metallic foam packing. Measurements are realized with a single-phase flow of liquid as well as with a counter-current flow of gas and liquid. Dynamic and static liquid holdup distributions and liquid radial spreading coefficient are measured on 2D radiographic images of the bed obtained with the high energy large scale ULG 420 kV scanner operated in the radiographic mode at 420 kV. Pressure drop measurements are successfully compared to experimental results reported in literature, as well as to the literature model predictions and to values computed using an in-house Lattice Boltzmann CFD simulation code. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.