Is Maximising Pressure-Drop over a Packed Bed Synonymous with Achieving the Best Flow Distribution?

This technical report is a simple look at the theoretical distribution of gas through a packed bed where the voidage varies across the diameter. The results show that if the bed flow resistance varies purely because of the voidage, then in a bed with even flow distribution the overall pressure-drop is highest. If there is maldistribution of flow then the overall pressure-drop reduces so that better flow distribution is therefore synonymous with a higher pressure-drop. If the bed flow resistance varies because of a factor other than voidage (e.g. particle diameter) then an even flow distribution does not coincide with the maximum possible pressure-drop. Higher pressure-drops can be achieved with maldistributed flow in this case. Therefore, there are situations where designing a packed bed to achieve the maximum possible pressure-drop may not result in the best flow distribution.