An $8-$ft$-$diameter column packed with $20$ ft of $1-$in Berl saddles has air at $1\mathrm{.}5$ atm and $40\backslash$deg C

flowing through it$.$ The tower is apparently close to flooding, since $\backslash$Delta p $=24$ in$.$ of water. The

mass velocity of the liquid is $8\mathrm{.}5$ times that of the gas.

a$.$ If the tower were repacked with $1$ plastic Pall rings, what would the pressure drop be$?$

b$.$ How much higher flow rates could be used if the pressure drop were the same as it was

with the Berl saddles?