Chapter 4 - Gas Absorption

CHAPTER 4: GAS ABSORPTION
CHAPTER / CONTENT
Definition, Application and Notation Used in Gas
Absorption
Conditions of Equilibrium Between Liquid and Gas
According to Raoults Law
The Mechanism of Absorption
Packed tower Description and Design
Plate tower Description and Design
Definition, Application and Notation Used in Gas

Absorption
A type of mass transfer operation (separation) between gas and liquid system.
The removal of one or more selected components from a mixture of gases.
Or A soluble vapor is absorbed from its mixture with an inert gas by means
of a liquid the soluble gas is more soluble.
Common example of gas absorption:
Ammonia Air System
Ammonia can be absorbed by passing the gases (NH3 air) into
water where ammonia will be dissolved in water.
The ammonia (solute) can then be recovered by distillation and the
absorbing liquid can be either discarded or reused.
Acetone Air mixture

The two phases (gas and liquid) when brought into contact tend to reach
equilibrium.
Consider air water system, the water in contact with air evaporates until
the air is saturated with water vapor, and the air is absorbed by the water
until it becomes saturated with the individual gases.
In any mixture of gases, the degree to which each gas is absorbed is
determined by its partial pressure at a given temperature and pressure.
When a single gas (solute) and a liquid (solvent) are brought into contact
(until equilibrium), the resulting concentration of dissolved gas (solvent) in
liquid is called gas solubility (at T and P).
At fixed temperature, solubility concentration increased when pressure
increased .

Partial pressure of
solute in gas phase
(kN/m2)
1.3
6.7
13.3
26.7
66.7
Concentration of solute in water kg/1000 kg water

Ammonia
Sulfur dioxide
Oxygen
11
50
93
160
315
1.9
6.8
12
24.4
56
0.08
0.13
0.33
Ammonia Very soluble

Sulfur Dioxide A moderate soluble
Oxygen Slightly soluble

In any mixture of gases the solubility of each gas depends on partial
pressure
Solubility also depends on Temperature (Solubility as T ).
Recall Raoults Law for ideal solution:
p A x A PAo
p A partial pressureof A in gas phase
x A mol fraction of A in liquid phase
PAo vapor pressureA at that temperature
In G.A.;
P P x where P Equilibriu m partial pressure

o

Equilibrium Distribution (Solubility Curve)
In G.A, feed is a gas and enters at bottom of column and the solvent is
fed at top column, the absorbed gas and solvent leave out the bottom and
unabsorbed components leave as gas from the top.
Liquid / solvent is well below its boiling point and gas molecules are
diffusing into liquid.
Equilibrium curve
(y,x)
x
Figure 1 Equilibrium curve

Film concept / Theory in mass transfer
Due to this concept:
Gas molecules must diffuse from main body of the gas phase to the gas
liquid interphase, then
Cross this interface into the liquid side and finally diffuse from the
interface into the main body of the liquid.
For dilute concentration of most gases, and over a wide range for some
gases, equilibrium relationship is given by Henrys Law.
pA H CA
p A partial pressureof A in gas phase
C A concentration of componentin liquid
H Henry's constant
The Mechanism of Absorption
THE TWO FILM THEORY
RATE OF ABSORPTION
EVALUATION OF MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENT
The Two Film Theory

Developed by Whitman.
MAIN BULK
OF GAS
GAS FILM BOUNDARY
PARTIAL PRESSURE (P)

OF SOLUBLE GAS
Pi
LIQUID
FILM
B
D
GAS
FILM
MAIN BULK
OF LIQUID
Ci
E
CL
MOLAR CONCENTRATION
OF SOLUTE IN A LIQUID
PG
LIQUID FILM
BOUNDARY
According to this theory, material is transferred in the bulk of the phase by

convection currents, and concentration differences are considered as
negligible.
Figure 2 Concentration profile for absorbed component A

On either side of this interface it suppose that the currents die out and that
there exists a thin film of fluid flowing through which the transfer occurs
only to molecular diffusion.
The Two Film Theory

According to Ficks Law, the rate transfer by diffusion is proportional to the
concentration gradient and to the area of interface over which the diffusion
is occurring.
The direction of transfer of material across the interface, is, however, not
dependent on the concentration difference, but on the equilibrium
relationship.
The controlling factor the rate of diffusion through the two film.
From Figure 2:
PG - Partial pressure in the bulk of the gas phase
Pi - Partial pressure at interface
CL - Concentration in the bulk of the liquid phase

Ci - Concentration at interface
The Two Film Theory

According to the two film theory:
The concentration at the interface are in equilibrium
The resistance to transfer is centred in the thin films on either side of
the wall
Assumptions of two film theory:
Steady state concentration at any position do not change with time
Interface between the gas and liquid phase is a sharp boundary
Laminar film exist at the interface on both sides of the interface
Equation exist at the interface
No chemical reaction
(rate of diff. across gas phase = rate of diff. across liquid phase)
MAIN BULK
OF GAS
GAS FILM BOUNDARY
PARTIAL PRESSURE (P)

OF SOLUBLE GAS
Pi
LIQUID
FILM
B
D
GAS
FILM
MAIN BULK
OF LIQUID
Ci
E
Figure 2 Concentration profile for absorbed component A
CL
MOLAR CONCENTRATION
OF SOLUTE IN A LIQUID
PG
LIQUID FILM
BOUNDARY
The Two Film Theory
Rate of Absorption
The process of absorption may be regarded as the diffusion of a soluble gas
A into a liquid.
The molecules of A have to diffuse through a stagnant gas film and then
through a stagnant liquid film before entering the main bulk of liquid.
The rate of absorption of A per unit time over unit area is given:
N A' kG PA1 PA2
kG - Gas film transfercoefficient
The rate of diffusion in liquids is much slower than in gases, and mixtures
of liquids may take a long time to reach equilibrium.
For the rate of absorption of A into liquid:
N A' k L C A1 C A2
kL
- liquid film transfercoefficient
Rate of Absorption
In steady state process of absorption, the rate of transfer of material
through the gas film will be the same as that through the liquid film.
The general equation for mass transfer can be written as:
N A' kG PG Pi k L Ci CL
PG - Partial pressure in the bulk of the gas phase
Pi - Partial pressure at interface

CL - Concentration in the bulk of the liquid phase
Ci - Concentration at interface
NA - Overall rate of mass transfer (mol/unit area.time)
Therefore:
kG Ci CL
k L PG Pi
Rate of Absorption
This condition can be shown graphically as below where ABF is
equilibrium curve.
Figure 3 Driving forces

in the gas and liquid
phase
PG Pi
PG
E
Ci CL
Pi
PB
F
CL
Ci
Ce
Point D ( CL , PG ) represents conditions in bulk of gas and liquid

Point A ( Ce, PG ) represents concentration Ce in the liquid in equilibrium with PG in the
gas.
Point B ( Ci, Pi ) represents concentration Ci in the liquid in equilibrium with Pi in the
gas, and gives conditions at the interface.
Point F (CL, Pe ) represents the partial pressure Pe in the gas in equilibrium with CL in the
liquid.
Rate of Absorption
Then the driving force causing transfer in the gas phase:
PG Pi DE
The driving force causing transfer in the liquid phase:
Ci CL BE
Then,
PG Pi k L
Ci CL kG
The concentration at the interface (point B) are found by drawing a line

through D of slope kL/kG to cut the equilibrium curve in B.
Rate of Absorption
Overall Coefficients
To obtain a direct measurement of the values kL and kG, we require the
measurement of the concentration at the interface.
Need to define two overall coefficient, KL and KG
N A' KG PG Pe K L Ce CL
K G - Overallgas phasecoefficient
K L - Overallliquid phase coefficient
The rate of transfer A can now be written as:
N A' kG PG Pi k L Ci CL KG PG Pe K L Ce CL
Eq.1
Rate of Absorption
kG PG Pi K G PG Pe
1
1 PG Pe
K G kG PG Pi
1
1 PG Pi 1
K G kG PG Pi kG
From Eq. (1):
Pi Pe
PG Pi
kG PG Pi k L Ci CL
1
1 P P
G i
kG k L Ci CL
Insert equation above into Eq. (2):

1
1 PG Pi 1 Pi Pe
K G kG PG Pi kG PG Pi
1
1
1 P P P P
G i i e
K G kG k L Ci C L PG Pi
1
1
1 P P
i e
K G k G k L Ci C L
Eq.3
Eq.2
Rate of Absorption
where term Pi Pe = average slope of equilibrium curve and,
Ci C L
if the solution obeys Henrys Law (H):

H
dP Pi Pe
dC Ci CL
Therefore Eq. (3) becomes:

1
1
1 P P
i e
K G kG k L Ci CL
1
1 H
K G kG k L
Similarly:
1
1
1

K L k L HkG
and
1
H
KG K L
Eq.3
Rate of Absorption
Factors Influencing the Mass Transfer coefficient
Very soluble gas (e.g NH3 in H2O).
- resistance is so small where H negligible. So kG KG
Low solubility gas (e.g O2 in H2O)
- resistance is in the liquid H is large. So kL KL
Moderately soluble gas
- both film offer resistance, so kG KG and kL KL
Example:
Show that from rate of transfer of A:
a)
1
1 H
K G kG k L
b)
1
1
1

K L k L HkG
Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Mass transfer coefficient Diffusivity (D) 1/film thickness (zg) for gas
For gas:
kG
Dg
For liquid:
zg
kL
DL
zL
Problem arises when measuring kG, kL since we do not know the value of
film thickness.
However, one piece of equipment where the surface area is known as the:
Wetted Wall column
D
Slow flowing film of water
- laminar flow condition
H
Sometimes
turbulent flow
could occur
GAS
Glass tube

Surface area of film D H
Flux, N KG P P*
N unit in mol/(m2.s)
P* = Equilibrium pressure
Method:
Measure gas concentration entering
Measure gas concentration leaving
Surface area of film is its area of the tube
Calculate the concentration driving force at inlet and outlet and
take log mean difference
KG
NA
P P*

Example
The data given below were obtained from a wetted wall column
with a constant liquid flow rate.
Molar Gas Flow rate, G (kmol/s)
Overall Mass Transfer Coefficient, KG

(kmol/s.m2 (kN/m2)
0.03
0.06
0.12
0.18
157.8
210.6
261.0
285.6
kG also related to the gas flow rate by:
kG AG
0.82
where A is constant
For molar gas flow rate of G = 0.1 kmol/s, evaluate the individual
mass transfer coefficient (kG and kL) and overall mass transfer
coefficient (KG) if H = 20 (kN/m2)/kmol

Solution
From Rate of Absorption:
1
1 H
K G kG k L
Assuming kL constant and given,
kG AG
0.82
where A is constant
1
1
H
K G AG 0.82 k L
Eq.a
Equation (a) is straight line equation (y=mx+c) where:

y 1 KG
1A
0.82
x 1G
H kL

Solution
Construct graph:
y axis 1 K G
0.82
x axis 1 G
G
(kmol/s)
KG x106
(kmol/s.m2 (kN/m2))
1 G 0.82
0.03
157.8
17.732
6.337 x 10-3
0.06
210.6
10.044
4.748 x 10-3
0.12
261.0
5.689
3.831 x 10-3
0.18
285.6
4.080
3.501 x 10-3
1 KG

Solution
7.0E-03
6.0E-03
1/KG x 10 -6
5.0E-03
4.0E-03
y = 2.079E-04x + 2.653E-03
3.0E-03
2.0E-03
1.0E-03
0.0E+00
0
10
12
14
16
18
20
1/G0.82
From the graph, straight line obtained: y = 2.079x10-4x + 2.653 x 10-3
m = 1 A = 2.079x10-4
c = H kL
= 2.653 x 10-3

Solution
For molar gas flow rate of G = 0.1 kmol/s, evaluate the individual
mass transfer coefficient (kG) and overall mass transfer coefficient (KG)
if H = 20 (kN/m2)/kmol
G
(kmol/s)
KG x106
(kmol/s.m2 (kN/m2))
1 G 0.82
0.10
248.3
6.607
1 K G x 10-6
4.027 x 10-3
From equation obtained: y = 2.079x10-4x + 2.653 x 10-3

y 2.079 10 4 x 2.653 10 3
y 2.079 10 4 (6.607) 2.653 10 3
y 4.027 10 3
1
4.027 10 3
KG
K G 248.3

Solution
From equation, slope:
1
2.079 10 4
A
1
A
4810
4
2.079 10
Individual mass transfer coefficient for gas, kG:

kG AG
0.82
kG 48100.10
0.82
kG 728.0

Solution
From equation, y intercept
c
H
2.653 10 3
kL
Individual mass transfer coefficient for liquid, kL:
For H 20 kN/m 2 /kmol

H
20
kL
c 2.653 10 3
k L 7538.6
Packed tower Description and Design
INTRODUCTION TO PACKED TOWER
PRESSURE DROP AND FLOODING IN

DETERMINATION OF TOWER DIAMETER
DETERMINATION OF HEIGHT OF TOWER
PACKED TOWER
Introduction to Packed Tower

Packed towers are used for continuous counter current in absorption.
The tower in Figure 4 consists of a cylindrical column containing:
A gas inlet and distributing space at
the bottom
A liquid inlet and distributing device
at the top
A gas outlet at the top
A liquid outlet at the bottom
A packing filling in the tower.
A large intimate contact between the
liquid and gas is provided by the
packing
Figure 4 Packed tower flows
Introduction to Packed Tower

Common types of packing which are dumped at random in the tower are
shown in Figure 5.
Packing are available in size of 3 mm to about 75 mm and mostly are made
of materials such as clay, porcelain, metal or plastic.
High void spaces of 65 95% are characteristics of good packings.
The packings permit relatively large volumes of liquid to pass
countercurrent to the gas flow through the openings with relatively low
pressure drops for the gas.
Figure 5 Typical random or dumped tower packings

(a) Rashig Ring (b) Berl Saddle (c) Pall Ring (d) Intalox Metal (e) Jaeger Metal Tri - Pack
Pressure Drop and Flooding in Packed Towers

In a given packed tower with a given type and size of packing and with a
definite flow of liquid, there is an upper limit to the rate of gas flow, called
the flooding velocity.
The tower cannot be operated at gas flow velocity above flooding velocity.
At a low gas velocities, the liquid flows downward through the packing,
essentially uninfluenced by the upward gas flow.
As the gas flow rate is increased at low gas velocities, the pressure drop is
proportional to the flow rate to the 1.8 power.
At a gas flow rate called the loading point, the gas starts to hinder the
liquid down flow, and local accumulations or pools of liquid start to appear
in the packing (liquid holdup).
The pressure drop of the gas starts to rise at a faster rate.
As the flow rate of gas increased, the liquid holdup or accumulation
increases.

At the flooding point, the liquid can no longer flow down through the
packing and is blown out with the gas.
In actual operating tower, the gas velocity is well below flooding velocity.
The optimum economic gas velocity is about one half or more of flooding
velocity.
Flooding velocity depends on:
Type of packing / packing factor
Size of packing
Liquid mass velocity
Limiting pressure drop,
Pflood 0.115Fp0.7
where Pflood : Pressuredrop at flooding
Fp
: Packing Factor

Example 1
Ammonia is being absorbed in a tower using pure water at 25OC
and 1 atm abs pressure.
The feed rate is 1440 lbm/h (653.2 kg/h) and contains 3.0 mol% of
ammonia in air.
The process design specifies a liquid to gas mass flow rate ratio
GL / GG of 2/1 and use 1-in. metal Pall rings.
Calculate the pressure drop in the packing and the gas mass velocity
at flooding. Using 50% of the flooding velocity, calculate the pressure
drop, gas and liquid flows, and tower diameter.
Repeat (a) above by use Mellapak 250Y structured packing.

Solution 1
Find the required data to be used in Figure 10.6-5 (Geankoplis pp.
660)
Given mol fraction for ammonia = 0.03

Given mol fraction for air = 0.97
Mwt ammonia = 17
Mwt air = 29
Average molecular weight of entering gas:

M av yi x Mwti 0.03 x 17 0.97 x 29 28.64
PM
RT
1 atm 28.64
3
82.06
g
mol
cm atm
298.15 K
mol.K
1.17110 3 g cm 3 @ 0.0730 lbm/ft 3

Solution 1
From Appendix A.2-4, the water viscosity = 0.8937 cP. From A.2-3,
the water density is 0.99708 g/cm3
1lbm
g 106 cm 3 0.3048 m3
L 0.99078 3 x
x
x
61.85 lbm /ft 3
3
3
cm
1m
1 ft
453.59237 g
3
1 Centistokes = 10-2 cm2/s
1
cm 3 10- 2 g
0.8937cP x
x
0.902 x 10- 2 cm 2 s 0.902 centistok es
0.99078 g 1 cP cm.s
From Table 10.6-1, for 1-in, Pall rings, Fp=56 ft-1. Using equation
10.6-1,
Pflood 0.115Fp0.7 0.115 56
0.7
1.925 in. H2 O / ft packing height

Solution 1
x-axis for Figure 10.6-5:
GL G

G
G L
0 .5
2 0.0730

1 61.85
0 .5
0.06871
For flow parameter of 0.06871 (abscissa) and pressure drop 1.925

in/ft at flooding, a capacity parameter (ordinate) of 1.7 is read off
the plot.
From y axis:
1.7 G G L G Fp 0.05
0.5
0.5
1.7 G 0.07310 61.85 0.07310 560.50.9020.05 0.2561

0.5
G 6.6381 ft s

Solution 1
GG G G 0.07310
lbm
ft
lbm
6
.
6381
0
.
4852
at flooding
ft 3
s
ft 2 s
Using 50% of the flooding velocity for design,

GG 0.5 0.4852
lbm
lbm
0
.
2426
ft 2 s
ft 2 s
Liquid flow rate, GL 2 0.2426
lbm
lbm
0.4852 2
2
ft s
ft s
To calculate the pressure drop at 50% flooding, GG 0.2426 lbm

2
ft s
lbm
and GL 0.4852 2 . The new capacity parameter is 0.5 x 1.7 = 0.85.
ft s
By using value of 0.85 and flow parameter of 0.06871 (abscissa), a

value of 18 in H2O/ft is obtained.

Solution 1
The tower cross sectional area, At
Feedrate 1440lb m
ft 2 s
1 hr
At
x
1.6488 ft 2
GG
hr
0.2426 lb m 3600 s
At
Dt 2
Dt
2
4
4 At
4 1.6488
2.099 ft 2
3.142
Dt 2.099 ft 2
0.5
`1.448 ft

Example 2
Ammonia (NH3) is being removed from air by scrubbing with
water in a packed tower with 6 mm ceramic Berl Saddles (Cf = 900.
The gas entering at 1.2 m3/s contains 15% NH3.
The water enters at a rate of 4 kg/s and has a specific gravity of 1,
viscosity of 2.5 x 10-3 kg/m.s.
The gas mixture enters at 27OC and 1 bar (0.987 atm). Given
Molecular weight for ammonia = 17, water = 18.
Calculate the diameter of the packed tower when 80% of NH3 is
removed and the pressure drop is 400 N/m2 per m packing.

Solution 2
Lin = 4 kg/s
xA = 0
Gout = ?
yA = ?
27OC
0.987 atm
80% NH3 is
removed
Lout = L
Lwater = 4 kg/s
xA = ?
Gin = 1.2 m3/s

yA = 0.15
Find the required data to be used.

Given mol fraction for ammonia = 0.15
Given mol fraction for air = 0.85
Mwt ammonia = 17
Mwt air = 29
Average molecular weight of entering gas:

M av yi x Mwti 0.15 x 17 0.85 x 29 27.2

Solution 2
g
PM
RT
0.987 atm 27.2

3
82.06
g
mol
cm atm
300.15 K
mol.K
1.090 10 3 g cm3
Given Gin = 1.2 m3/s

g
m 3 10 6 cm3
Mass of G in g V 1.090 10
1.2
1308 g/s @ 1.308 kg/s

cm3
s
1 m3
3
cm3
0.987 atm 1.2x10
PV
s 48.0871 mol/s @ 0.04809 kmol/s
Mol of G in , n
3
cm atm
RT
82.06
300.15 K
mol.K
6
Mass of G NH3 in 0.15 x0.04809
kg
kmol
x17
0.1226 kg/s
s
kmol

Solution 2
Mass of NH 3 absorbedin water 0.80 x 0.1226 kg/s 0.0981 kg/s
Mass of Gout Mass of gas in Mass of NH 3 absorbed 1.308 0.0981 1.2099 kg/s
Mass of Lout Mass of water Mass of NH 3 absorbed 0.0981 4 4.0981 kg
From information, the water viscosity = 2.5 x 10-3 kg/m.s. Water

density is 1000 kg/m3. Since the larger flow quantities are at the bottom
of absorber, the diameter will be chosen to accommodate the bottom
condition. From Treybal:
L' G
abscissa (x-coordinate) =
(Refer to bottom condition)
0 .5
G' L G
0 .5
0.5
kg
1.090 x 10 -3
s
0.10
kg
- 3 0.5
1.308
1 1.090 x 10
s
4.0981
G ' 2C f L0.1 J
G L G g C

Solution 2
N m2
At pressure drop of 400
and x-coordinate = 0.10,
m
y-coordinate = 0.066
0 .1
G' 2C f L J
G L G g c
0.066
g 0.066 1.091000 1.091

2
G '' 0.066 G L 0.1G c
0.145
3 0.1
C J
900 2.5 10
1
f L
kg
G '' 0.38 2
m s
kg
1.308
G'
s 3.442 m 2
Cross sectional area, A
G'' 0.38 kg
m 2 .s
D 2
A
4
4A
4 3.442
D 2.09 m
Exercise
A packed tower is to be designed for a counter current contact of an NH3- air mixture with
water to wash out NH3 from the gas.
The conditions are:
Gas in:
Gas out: All NH3 is removed.
Flow rate = 1.5 m3/s
Temperature = 27 C
Pressure = 1 bar (0.987 atm)
Contains 8 mol % NH3
Liquid in:
Flow rate = 4.8 kg/s
Density = 996 kg/m3
Viscosity = 2.5 x 10-3 kg/m.s
Packing used is 38mm Raschig ring (Cf = 95, gc = 1)
(a) Calculate the flow rate of liquid out.
(b) If the pressure drop of the packed tower is 400 N/m2, by using the diagram, calculate
the required diameter for the tower.
Determination of Height of Tower

Component denoted in Figure 6:
Gm = Mols of inert gas / (unit time) (unit cross
section of tower)
Lm = Mols of inert liquid / (unit time) (unit cross

section of tower)
Gm
Lm
y2
x2
x
dZ
y + dy
x + dx
Y = Mols of soluble gas A / mol of inert gas B

in gas phase
X = Mols of soute A / mol of inert solvent C in
liquid phase
Mass balance over differential / small
section of column:
N A' AdZ kG aPG Pi Adz
N A' AdZ k L aCi CL Adz
Gm
Lm
y1
x1
Figure 6 Countercurrent absorption tower
wh ere Adz Vol. of small

sectionof tower
NA = mol / (m2.s)
a = Interfacial area / Volume of
column

From the tower,
N A' AdZ Gm Ady
kG aPG Pi A dZ Gm Ady
From Dalton and Raoults Law,
Therefore,
PG
PT
yPT PG
yi
Pi
PT
yi PT Pi
and
Gm dy kG aPT y yi dZ
dZ
Gm
dy
kG aPT y yi
Integrating both sides; get:
Gm
Z
kG aPT
y1
y2
dy
y yi
Z = height of tower

Similarly for concentration in liquid phase:
Lm
dx
k L a xi x
Normally, Z is written in terms of KG.a & KL.a & in terms of mol fraction:
Gm
dy
K G aPT
y y*
Z H OG NOG
Z = height of tower
HOG = height of transfer unit constant.
NOG = number of transfer unit constant

And for concentration in liquid phase:
Lm
K L aCT
dx
x* x
Simplifying:
Z H OG NOG
For gas phase based on equilibrium concentration
Z H OL NOL
For liquid phase based on equilibrium concentration
The number of transfer unit (NOG) can be calculated using several method
which will be discussed later.
Methods for Evaluation of NOG
Graphical Method
Log Mean Driving Force Method
Colburns Method
Graphical Methods
Based on interface concentration:
Z H G NG H L N L
Based on Area, A:
Gm y1 y Lm x1 x
y1 y
Lm
x1 x
Gm
y y
Lm
1
Gm x1 x
Operating line equation relates concentration in gas phase to that in liquid

phase. From operating line above:
Graphical Methods
y L x1 x y1
G
L
L
x x1 y1 ope ratingline
G
G
L
whe re :
gradie nt @ slope
G
L
x1 y1 inte rse ction with y - axis

G
Operating
line
Equilibrium line normally

linear at dilute concentration
Graphical Methods
Example
An acetone air mixture containing 0.015 mol fraction of acetone will
be reduced to 1% of this value by countercurrent absorption in fresh
pure water in packed tower.
The gas flow rate is 1.0 kg/m2.s and the liquid flow rate is 1.6 kg/m2.s.
For the system, Henrys law holds and y* = 1.75 x where y* is the mol
fraction of acetone in the vapor in equilibrium with x mol fraction in
liquid.
Calculate the height of the tower / absorber if HOG = 0.3 m.
Data given:
Cross sectional A of column = 1 m2
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18
Graphical Methods
Solution
Gm=1.0 kg/m2.s
Lm=1.6 kg/m2.s
x2 = 0
y2 = 0.00015
2
Given:
Reduced
to 1%
1
y1 = 0.015
Gm=1.0 kg/m2.s
x1 = ?
Lm=1.6 kg/m2.s
Cross sectional A
of column = 1 m2
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18
HOG = 0.3 m
y* = 1.75 x
Graphical Methods
Solution
The given mass flow rate in kg/m2.s. Need to convert into kmol /s.
Gm
Gm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.03448 kmol
Gm
kg
s
29
kmol
1.0
Find slope of the graph.

L
L
G
G
L 0.08889 kmol / s
slope
2.578
G 0.03448 kmol / s
y
Lm
Lm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.08889 kmol
Lm
kg
s
18
kmol
1.6
Graphical Methods
Solution
Calculate the mol ratio for each location.
Location 1
Location 2
y1
A
0.015
0.0152
Gm 1 0.015
y2
A
0.00015
0.00015
Gm 1 0.00015
x1
A
?
Lm
x2
A
0
0
Lm 1 0
Need to find x1 in order to plot operating line.

L
L
x x1 y1
G
G
y 2.578 x C
y
Graphical Methods
Solution
Use coordinate at location 2 in order to find C value.
y 2.578 x C
0.00015 2.5780 C
C 0.00015
Operating line, y 2.578x 0.00015
Insert value at location 1 in order to find x1 value

y1 2.578 x1 0.00015
0.015 2.578 x1 0.00015
x1
0.015 0.00015 0.00576

2.578
Construct operating line by plotting coordinate at location 1 and 2
Location 1
Location 2
x1, y1 0.00576 , 0.015
x2 , y2 0 , 0.00015
Graphical Methods
Operating line
Equilibrium line
No. of stages = 11
NOG = 11
Graphical Methods
Solution
Height of absorber, Z
Z H OG N OG
Z 0.3m 11
Z 3.3m

dy
y y*
or
dx
x* x
To evaluate NOG, we can take an average driving force in log mean.
N OG
y1 y2
y y* 1 y y*
y
1
ln
y y*
N OG
y1
(y - y*)1
(y - y*)
y1 y2
ln y y *
y1* Hx1
y - line
y2* Hx2
y2
(y - y*)2
y* - line

Example
liquid.
Data given:
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18

Solution
Gm=1.0 kg/m2.s
Lm=1.6 kg/m2.s
x2 = 0
y2 = 0.00015
2
Given:
Reduced
to 1%
1
y1 = 0.015
Gm=1.0 kg/m2.s
x1 = ?
Lm=1.6 kg/m2.s
Cross sectional A
of column = 1 m2
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18
HOG = 0.3 m
y* = 1.75 x

Solution
Gm
Gm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.03448 kmol
Gm
kg
s
29
kmol
1.0
Find slope of the graph.

L
L
G
G
L 0.08889 kmol / s
slope
2.578
G 0.03448 kmol / s
y
Lm
Lm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.08889 kmol
Lm
kg
s
18
kmol
1.6

Solution
Calculate the mol ratio for each location.
Location 1
Location 2
y1
A
0.015
0.0152
Gm 1 0.015
y2
A
0.00015
0.00015
Gm 1 0.00015
x1
A
?
Lm
x2
A
0
0
Lm 1 0
Need to find x2 in order to plot operating line.

L
L
x x1 y1
G
G
y 2.578 x C
y

Solution
Use coordinate at location 2 in order to find C value.
y 2.578 x C
0.00015 2.5780 C
C 0.00015
Operating line, y 2.578x 0.00015
Insert value at location 1 in order to find x1 value

y1 2.578 x1 0.00015
0.015 2.578 x1 0.00015
x1
0.015 0.00015 0.00576

2.578

Solution
Need to find y1* and y2* using equilibrium line given in question.
y1* Hx1
y * 1.75 x
y1* 1.75 x1 1.750.00576

y1* 0.010
y2* 1.75 x2 1.750
y2* 0

Solution
Calculate NOG.
N OG
y1 y2
ln y y *
y y y y 0.0152 0.010 0.00015 0

ln y y
y y
0.0152 0.010
ln
ln
0.00015 0
5.05 10
ln y y
1.4242 10
5.2 10 3
ln
0
.
00015

Solution
Calculate NOG.
N OG
y1 y2 0.0152 0.00015 10.57 11 stages
ln y y *
1.4242 103
Z H OG N OG
Z 0.3m 11
Z 3.3m
Colburns Method
Objective to evaluate:
y1
y2
dy
y y*
Assume mol fraction are so small fraction; mol fraction = mol ratio
Gm y1 y2 Lm x1 x2
Also, y*=Hx, but instead of H, use m. So y*=mx
y*
mGm
y y2
Lm
If we substitute, we get
y1
y2
dy
mGm
y y2
y
Lm
Solution as log function and represented as a nomogram (graphical solution)
Colburns Method
Example
liquid.
Data given:
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18
Colburns Method
Solution
Gm=1.0 kg/m2.s
Lm=1.6 kg/m2.s
x2 = 0
y2 = 0.00015
2
Given:
Reduced
to 1%
1
y1 = 0.015
Gm=1.0 kg/m2.s
x1 = ?
Lm=1.6 kg/m2.s
Cross sectional A
of column = 1 m2
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18
HOG = 0.3 m
y* = 1.75 x
Colburns Method
Solution
Gm
Gm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.03448 kmol
Gm
kg
s
29
kmol
1.0
Find mGm/Lm and y1/y2

m
Gm
0.03448
1.75
0.6788
Lm
0.08889
y1
0.015
100
y2 0.00015
Lm
Lm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.08889 kmol
Lm
kg
s
18
kmol
1.6
Colburns Method
Colburns Method
Solution
From nomogram, NOG = 10.6 = 11
Z H OG N OG
Z 0.3m 11
Z 3.3m
Plate tower Description and Design
INTRODUCTION TO PLATE TOWER
DETERMINATION STAGES OF TOWER
MINIMUM LIQUID FLOW RATE TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC SEPARATION
Introduction to Plate tower

Bubble cap columns or sieve trays, are sometimes used for gas absorption.
Application of plate tower particularly when the load is more than can be
handled in a packed tower about 1 m diameter; and
- when there is any likelihood of deposition of solids which would quickly
choke a packing.
Plate tower are particularly useful when the liquid rate is sufficient to flood
a packed tower.
Determination stages of tower

It will be assumed that dilute solutions are used so that mole fraction and
mole ratio approximately equal.
A material balance for the absorbed component from the bottom to a plane
above plate n will give:
Gm yn Lm xs Gm ys 1 Lm xn 1
yn
Lm
L
xn 1 ys 1 m xs
Gm
Gm
Operatingline
Operating line also describes such a line passes through two point, 1 (top of
tower) and 2 (bottom of tower)

Example 1
A bubble cap absorption column is to be used to absorb ammonia,
NH3 by using water.
A gaseous mixture containing 20.5 mol% NH3 and 79.5 mol% air enters
the bottom of the absorption tower.
60.5 kmol of gaseous NH3 enters the tower per hour while 5500 kg
aqueous NH3 solution containing 0.1% by mass NH3 enters the top of
the tower per hour.
The column operates at the atmospheric pressure and at a constant
temperature of 30OC.
It is desired to absorb 95% of the entering gas NH3. Assume that the
effect of water vapor in the gases is negligible.

Example
Determine:
The molar flow rate of entering gaseous mixture
The molar flow rate of the raffinate

The molar flow rate of the extract
The mol ratio of NH3 in the raffinate and extract
The number of ideal stages required
The equilibrium data given as follows:
Mol NH3
mol water
0.000
0.053
0.111
0.177
0.250
Mol NH3
mol air
0.000
0.044
0.089
0.159
0.280

Solution
Lm
Gm
Feed of NH3 aq in= 5500 kg/h
y2 = 0.00015
xA2 = 0.001 kg A/kg
xB2 = 0.999 kg B/kg
95%
removal
T=30OC
P=1 atm
1
x1 = ?
Gm
yA1 = 0.205 kmol A/kmol
yB1 = 0.795 kmol B/kmol
Feed of NH3 in= 60.5 kmol/h
Lm
A = NH3
B = Air
C = H2O

Solution
Determine:
The molar flow rate of entering gaseous mixture, G1

From Gaseous mixture inlet (at point 1),Feed NH3 in = 60.5 kmol/h
kmol A
kmol A
G1 60.5
kmol
h
kmol A
1
kmol
G1 60.5
h
0.205 kmol A
kmol A
G1 295.12
h
0.205

Solution
Determine:
The molar flow rate of the raffinate, G2
From information, 95% of the entering NH3 is being absorbed.
Unabsorbed NH3 = 0.05 60.5
kmol
kmol
3.025
h
h
The molar flow rate of the raffinate, G2 = Gm + unabsorbed NH3

Gm 0.795
kmol B
kmol B
kmol
kmol B
G1 0.795
295.12
234.62
kmol
kmol
h
h
G2 Gm unabsorbe dNH 3 234.62 3.025

G2 237.645
kmol
h
kmol
h

Solution
Determine:
The molar flow rate of the extract, L1
Absorbed NH3 = 0.95 60.5
kmol
kmol
57.475
h
h
From information at L2, feed NH3 aq. in = 5500 kg/h

Lm 0.999
kg C
kg C
kg
kg C
L2 0.999
5500
5494.5
kg
kg
h
h
LA2 0.001
kg A
kg A
kg
kg A
L2 0.001
5500
5.5
kg
kg
h
h
Convert Lm and LA2 in kmol/h unit. Given:

Mwt NH3 = 17
Mwt H2O = 18

Solution
Lm 5494.5
LA2 5.5
kg C 1 kmol C
kmol C
305.25
h
18 kg C
h
kg A 1 kmol A
kmol A
0.324
h
17 kg A
h
The molar flow rate of the extract, L1

L1 Lm LA2 Absorbe dNH 3
L1 305.25 0.324 57.475
L1 363.049
kmol
h
kmol
h

Solution
Determine:
The mol ratio of NH3 in all stream
Location 1
Gas Feed stream, G1
Mol of NH3 = 60.5 kmol/h
Mol of Air, Gm = 234.62 kmol/h
Extract stream, L1
Mol of NH3 = 0.324 + 57.475 kmol/h
= 57.799 kmol/h
Mol of Water, Lm = 305.25 kmol/h
mol of NH 3
mol of Air
60.5 kmol
Y1'
234.62 kmol
Y1' 0.258
Y1'
Coordinate for Location 1 = (X1, Y1) = (0.189,0.258)
mol of NH 3
mol of wate r
57.799 kmol
X 1'
305.25 kmol
X 1' 0.189
X 1'

Solution
Location 2
Raffinate stream, G2
Liquid feed stream, L2
Mol of Air, Gm = 234.62 kmol/h
Mol of Water, Lm = 305.25 kmol/h
mol of NH 3
Y
mol of Air
3.025 kmol
Y2'
234.62 kmol
Y2' 0.013
'
2
Coordinate for Location 2 = (X2, Y2) = (0.001,0.013)
mol of NH 3
mol of wate r
0.324 kmol
X 2'
305.25 kmol
X 2' 0.001
X 2'

Solution
Plot the equilibrium line and the operating line in order to
calculate number of stages
No of theoretical stages = 5 theoretical stages

0.3
0.275
0.25
0.225
0.2
0.175
0.15
0.125
0.1
0.075
0.05
0.025
0
0
0.025 0.05 0.075
0.1
0.125 0.15 0.175

x
0.2
0.225 0.25 0.275
0.3

Example 2
A bubble cap absorption column is to be used to absorb ammonia,
NH3 by using water.
A gaseous mixture containing 15 mol% NH3 and 85 mol% air enters
the bottom of the absorption tower.
57 mol of gaseous NH3 enters the tower per hour, while 3.7 kg of pure
water enters the top of the tower per hour.
The column operates at the atmospheric pressure and at a constant
temperature of 30OC.
It is desired to absorb NH3 such as only 2.5% NH3 leaves the tower
with air. Determine the number of theoretical plates required for the
above process.
Equilibrium data is given as in Example 1. Assume that the effect of
water vapor in the gases is negligible.
Minimum Liquid Flow rate

Min. flow rate = Infinite number of stages = Minimum reflux in distillation.
as L decreases, line approaching equilibrium line
equilibrium line
x
Minimum value of flow rate is where:
Exit liquid [ ] = Equilibrium [ ]
or
Inlet gas [ ] = Equilibrium [ ]

Chapter 4 - Gas Absorption

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Chapter 4 - Gas Absorption

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

CHAPTER 4: GAS ABSORPTION

Plate tower Description and Design

Definition, Application and Notation Used in Gas

Conditions of Equilibrium Between Liquid and Gas

Conditions of Equilibrium Between Liquid and Gas

Concentration of solute in water kg/1000 kg water

Ammonia Very soluble

Conditions of Equilibrium Between Liquid and Gas

P P x where P Equilibriu m partial pressure

Conditions of Equilibrium Between Liquid and Gas

Conditions of Equilibrium Between Liquid and Gas

The Mechanism of Absorption

THE TWO FILM THEORY

EVALUATION OF MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENT

The Two Film Theory

GAS FILM BOUNDARY

PARTIAL PRESSURE (P)

According to this theory, material is transferred in the bulk of the phase by

Figure 2 Concentration profile for absorbed component A

The Two Film Theory

CL - Concentration in the bulk of the liquid phase

The Two Film Theory

GAS FILM BOUNDARY

PARTIAL PRESSURE (P)

Figure 2 Concentration profile for absorbed component A

The Two Film Theory

kG - Gas film transfercoefficient

- liquid film transfercoefficient

Pi - Partial pressure at interface

Figure 3 Driving forces

Point D ( CL , PG ) represents conditions in bulk of gas and liquid

The concentration at the interface (point B) are found by drawing a line

The rate of transfer A can now be written as:

From Eq. (1):

Insert equation above into Eq. (2):

if the solution obeys Henrys Law (H):

Therefore Eq. (3) becomes:

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Overall Mass Transfer Coefficient, KG

kG also related to the gas flow rate by:

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Equation (a) is straight line equation (y=mx+c) where:

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

From the graph, straight line obtained: y = 2.079x10-4x + 2.653 x 10-3

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

From equation obtained: y = 2.079x10-4x + 2.653 x 10-3

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Individual mass transfer coefficient for gas, kG:

Evaluation of Mass Transfer Coefficient

Individual mass transfer coefficient for liquid, kL:

For H 20 kN/m 2 /kmol

Packed tower Description and Design

INTRODUCTION TO PACKED TOWER

PRESSURE DROP AND FLOODING IN

DETERMINATION OF HEIGHT OF TOWER

Introduction to Packed Tower

Figure 4 Packed tower flows

Introduction to Packed Tower

Figure 5 Typical random or dumped tower packings

Pressure Drop and Flooding in Packed Towers

Pressure Drop and Flooding in Packed Towers