The present investigation deals with the direct contact evaporation of refrigerant 113 and n-pentane in a stagnant column of distilled water. The operational parameters investigated in the experimental study are the operating column height, the temperature difference, the dispersed phase flow rate, and the diameter and number of orifices in the distributor. The effects of these parameters on volumetric heat transfer coefficient, holdup, and agglomeration are investigated. A modified relation, based on the theoretical analysis of Smith et al. (1982), is also developed for predicting the theoretical volumetric heat transfer coefficient. Comparison with related works available in the literature shows reasonable agreement. © 1989 by ASME.