The Souders-Brown calculator computes the maximum allowed vapor velocity based on the density of the liquid and vapor and the velocity of the vapor.
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
Max Vapor Velocity(MVV): The calculator returns the velocity in meters per second. However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.
To lookup the mean density of many substances, (CLICK HERE).
The Souders–Brown equation (named after Mott Souders and George Granger Brown) has been a tool for obtaining the maximum allowable vapor velocity in vapor–liquid separation vessels (variously called flash drums, knockout drums, knockout pots, compressor suction drums and compressor inlet drums). It has also been used for the same purpose in designing trayed fractionating columns, trayed absorption columns and other vapor–liquid-contacting columns.
A vapor–liquid separator drum is a vertical vessel into which a liquid and vapor mixture (or a flashing liquid) is fed and wherein the liquid is separated by gravity, falls to the bottom of the vessel, and is withdrawn. The vapor travels upward at a design velocity which minimizes the entrainment of any liquid droplets in the vapor as it exits the top of the vessel.
The Souders-Brown equation is as follows:
V = (k) `sqrt((rho_"L"-rho_"V")/rho_"V"` , where:
The definition of the Souders-Brown equation was taken from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souders%E2%80%93Brown_equation).