(G = 0.126 kg·m-2·s-1) (a) L = 12 kg·m-2·s-1, (b) L = 15 kg·m-2·s-1, (c) L = 18 kg·m-2·s-1
The liquid distribution profile was also provided by means of maldistribution factor. For the given gas and liquid mass flow rates, the maldistribution factor at different solid flow rates was shown in Figures 11. As the solid flow rate increased, the maldistribution factor decreased firstly and then increased, which was in agreement with the results in Figure 10. It could also be seen in Figure 11 that the liquid maldistribution occurred at a higher solid flow rate as the liquid mass flow rate increased. In other words, the range of the solid flow rate in which the liquid distribution was more uniform than that in the trickle bed increased with the increasing liquid mass flow rate.