ABSTRACT

The objectives of gas absorption experiment are to determine the loading and flooding
point in the column as well as to determine the pressure drop (P)as a function of gas (air)
and liquid (water) mass velocities (L/min) using flexi glass packed with Raschig rings.
Before the actual experiment started, the equipment was set-up first using set-up procedure
where the valves are arranged according to U-tube (LEFT) arrangement. Water is then filled
into the monotube using VT-3 and the water level is adjusted to 20 mm H 2O for both left and
right monotube and the pump is then switched on. Next, the valve arrangement is set
according to operating arrangement. After the set-up is done, valve VR-3 and VR-4 are
opened and the water flow rate is adjusted to 1.0 (L/min). The level of water returning to the
water reservoir is controlled using VR-4 so that it always higher than the bottom of the
reservoir. Then, the gas flow rate is adjusted to 20 (L/min) and after two minutes, the pressure
at the left and right monotube is taken. The experiment is continued by varying the gas
flowrate until 180 (L/min) and the experiment is then repeated with volume flow rate of 2.0
(L/min) and 30 (L/min) respectively. At the end of the experiment, we had managed to
determine the loading and flooding point where the loading point is from the volume water
flow rate of 1.0 (L/min), 2.0 (L/min) and 3.0 (L/min). When the volume water flow rate at 3.0
(L/min), the flooding point started at gas flow rate of 140 (L/min). Other than that, we also
had determined the pressure drop (P) as a function of gas (air) and liquid (water) mass
velocities (L/min) using flexi glass packed with Raschig rings. The pressure drop for the
volume water flow rate 1.0 (L/min), the range is between 0.0 mm H 2O until 15.0 mm H2O
where 15 mm H2O is the highest pressure drop at gas flow rate of 180 (L/min). While the
pressure drop for the volume water flow rate 2.0 (L/min), the range is between 0.0 mm H 2O
until 59 mm H2O where 59 mm H2O is the highest pressure drop at gas flow rate of 180
(L/min). For volume water flow rate 3.0 (L/min), the pressure drop range is between 0.0 mm
H2O until flooding point at gas flow rate 140 (L/min). We can conclude that as the gas flow
rate increasing, the pressure drop (P) will also increase. Thus, we can conclude that all the
objectives of the experiment had been reached.

INTRODUCTION
Absorption is a mass transfer process in which a vapor solute A in a gas mixture is
absorbed by means of a liquid in which the solute more or less soluble. The gas mixture consists
mainly of an inert gas and the soluble. An example of gas is the absorption of the solute ammonia
from an air-ammonia mixture by water. A major application of absorption is the removal of CO2
and H2S from nature gas or synthesis gas by absorption in solution of amines or alkaline salts.
A common apparatus used in gas absorption and certain other operations is the packed
tower, shown in Figure 1 below. The device consists of a cylindrical column, or tower, equipped
with a gas inlet an distributing space at the bottom, a liquid inlet and distributor at the top, gas
and liquid outlet at the top and bottom, respectively and a supported mass of inert solid shapes,
called tower packing.
Their common dumped packing, Ceramic Berl saddles and Raschig rings are older
types of packing that are not much used now, although there were big improvements over ceramic
spheres or crushed stone when first introduced. The shape prevents pieces from nesting closely
together, and this increasing the bed porosity. As for this experiment we used the column packed
with Raschig rings.
In given packed tower with a given type and size of packing and with defined flow of
liquid, there is an upper limit to the rate of gas flow, called the flooding velocity or flooding point.
Above this gas velocity the tower cannot operate due to high pressure. At the flow rate called the
loading point, the gas start to hander the liquid down flow, and local accumulations or pools of
liquid start to appear in the packing.

Figure 1: Gas Absorption Packing Column

OBJECTIVES

To determine the loading and flooding points in the column.

To determine the pressure drop (P) as a function of gas (air) and liquid (water) mass
velocities (L/min) using flexi glass packed with Raschig rings.

THEORY
3

A common instrument used in gas absorption or stripping is a packed tower. A packed

tower consists of the following: a cylindrical tube with inert packing material, a gas inlet at
the bottom with an exit out the top, and a liquid inlet at the top with its exit out the bottom. In
an ideal operation the liquid will descend through the packed column and distribute
uniformly over the packing surface in films. The gas will enter the column from below the
packed section and rise upward countercurrent to the liquid flow through the small spaces
between the packing materials. The large amount of intimate contact between the liquid and
gas streams allows for pressure drop in the packing column.
The pressure drop along the packed column is calculated by using the formula below:
Pressure drop , P (mmH2O) = High pressure of monotube (mmH2O) Low pressure of
monotube (mmH2O)
In this experiment, the graph of Ln (V) versus Ln (P/m packing) is needed in order to
investigate and observed the relationship between the gas flow rate and the pressure drop in
the packing column. Ln (V) can be easily calculated using scientific calculator where:
V = gas flow rate in (L/min)
Moreover, to calculate Ln (P/m packing), we must first calculate the pressure drop using the
formula above then divided it with the packings value and then multiplied it with Ln using
scientific calculator.
For this experiment, we used Raschig rings packing column. It is given that the packings
value is:
Packings = 8 mm glass Raschig Rings
After we had calculated the values for Ln (V) and Ln (P/m packing), directly plot the graph.
APPARATUS

Gas- Liquid Absorption Column

PROCEDURE
4

Manometer calibration (see diagram)

For calibration of manometers and during operation of the column, the following valves must
be in the positions stated below:
a) U-tube (left)

b) U-tube (right)

VT-1

VT-1

VT-2

VT-3

VT-2

B
R

VT-3

B
B

VT-4

VT-4

R
R

VT-5
VT-5

V-2 (OPEN)

V-3 (OPEN)

c) Sphere ball

d) Operation

V-1 (OPEN)
VT-1

R
B

VT-2

VT-1

B
B

VT-2
VT-4

R
R

VT-3

R
B

VT-5
R

Operation

1. The manometer U-tube is filled with water by arranging the values according to the Utube arrangement. The pump is switched on. For this experiment, we used the left U-tube
arrangement only.
2. The values are set to operating arrangement before the operation is started.
3. All valves are checked carefully (closed) before the column is safe to use.
4. Valve VR-3 and VR-4 are opened such that the liquid flow rate is set at 10 m3/h.
Note: The level of liquid returning to the water reservoir must always be higher than the
bottom of the reservoir. This is to avoid air being trapped in line. Valve VR-4 is adjusted
accordingly to avoid this phenomena.
5. Valve VR-1 is opened and the airflow rate is set to be 10 m 3/h. Wait for 2 minutes and
during this time the flow rate of air and water is make sure to be constant. The pressure
drop (P) mmH2O is read in the monotube.
6. The gas flow rate is increased by adding an extra of 5 m 3/h to the column. Wait for 2
minutes and the pressure drop is read again.
7. Part 4 is repeated until Flooding Point is reached.
8. The curve of Ln (V) versus Ln(P / m packing) is plotted.
9. Steps 2 to 6 are repeated with different kind of liquid flow rate.

RESULTS
Flow rate

Presssure drop (mm H2O)

(L/min)
Air

20

40

60

80

100

12

140

160

180
6

Water
1.0
2.0
3.0

0
0
2

0
1
0

1
3
2

3
5
9

5
9
23

6
13
52

9
20
Floodin

12
39
Floodin

15
59
Flooding

g point

g point

point

CALCULATIONS
In order to plot the graph Ln (V) versus Ln (P / m packing), we need to calculate Ln (V)
first. Where V = Gas flow rate in (L/min)
Gas Flow Rate
(L/min)
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180

Ln (V)
Ln (20) = 2.996
Ln (40) = 3.689
Ln (60) = 4.094
Ln (80) = 4.382
Ln (100) = 4.605
Ln (120) = 4.787
Ln (140) = 4.942
Ln (160) = 5.075
Ln (180) = 5.193

Then we need to calculate Ln (P / m packing) where packings = 8 mm glass Raschig Rings.

Volume Flow
Rate
(L/min)
1.0

Gas Flow Rate

(L/min)
20
40
60
80
100
120
140

Pressure
Drop,P
(mmH2O)
0
0
1
3
5
6
9

Ln (P / m packing)
Ln (0/0.008) = Math Error
Ln (0/0.008) = Math Error
Ln (1/0.008) = 4.83
Ln (3/0.008) = 5.93
Ln (5/0.008) = 6.44
Ln (6/0.008) = 6.62
Ln (9/0.008) = 7.03
7

2.0

3.0

160
180
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180

12
15
0
1
3
5
9
13
20
39
59
2
0
2
9
23
52
Flooding point
Flooding point
Flooding point

Ln (12/0.008) = 7.31
Ln (15/0.008) = 7.54
Ln (0/0.008) = Math Error
Ln (1/0.008) = 4.83
Ln (3/0.008) = 5.93
Ln (5/0.008) = 6.44
Ln (9/0.008) = 7.03
Ln (13/0.008) = 7.39
Ln (20/0.008) = 7.82
Ln (39/0.008) = 8.49
Ln (59/0.008) = 8.91
Ln (2/0.008) = 5.52
Ln (0/0.008) = Math Error
Ln (2/0.008) = 5.52
Ln (9/0.008) = 7.03
Ln (23/0.008) = 7.96
Ln (52/0.008) = 8.78
Flooding point
Flooding point
Flooding point

So, the calculated results are as below;

Volume Flow
Rate
(L/min)

1.0

2.0

3.0

Gas Flow Rate

(L/min)
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
20

Pressure Drop,
P
(mmH2O)
0
0
1
3
5
6
9
12
15
0
1
3
5
9
13
20
39
59
2

Ln (V)

Ln (P / m packing)

2.996
3.689
4.094
4.382
4.605
4.787
4.942
5.075
5.193
2.996
3.689
4.094
4.382
4.605
4.787
4.942
5.075
5.193
2.996

Math Error
Math Error
4.83
5.93
6.44
6.62
7.03
7.31
7.54
Math Error
4.83
5.93
6.44
7.03
7.39
7.82
8.49
8.91
5.52
8

40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180

0
2
9
23
52
Flooding point
Flooding point
Flooding point

3.689
4.094
4.382
4.605
4.787
4.942
5.075
5.193

Math Error
5.52
7.03
7.96
8.78
Flooding point
Flooding point
Flooding point

The curve of Ln (V) versus Ln (P / m packing),

For volume flow rate = 1.0 (L/min)

(V) versus Ln (P / m packing)

12
10
8

Ln (V)

6
4
2
0
2.5

3.5

4.5

5.5

Ln (P / m packing)

For volume flow rate = 2.0 (L/min)

Ln (V) versus Ln (P / m packing)

10
9
8
7
6
Ln (V)

5
4
3
2
1
0
3.6

3.8

4.2

4.4

4.6

4.8

5.2

5.4

Ln (P / m packing)

For volume flow rate = 3.0 (L/min)

Ln(V) versus Ln (P / m packing)

12
10
8
Ln (V)

6
4
2
0
2.5

3.5

4.5

5.5

Ln (P / m packing)

ERROR CALCULATIONS

10

There are some errors when calculating the value of Ln (P / m packing). Notice that for the
volume flow rate of 1.0 (L/min), 2.0 (L/min) and 3.0 (L/min) the values for gas flow rate are
20 (L/min), and 40 (L/min), the value for Ln (P / m packing) are all math errors.
Volume Flow
Rate
(L/min)
1.0
2.0
3.0

Gas Flow Rate

(L/min)

Ln (P / m packing)

20
40
20
40

Ln (0.0/0.008) = Math Error

Ln (0.0/0.008) = Math Error
Ln (0.0/0.008) = Math Error
Ln (0.0/0.008) = Math Error

This value affects the graph of Ln (V) versus Ln (P / m packing).

DISCUSSION
The important things that we want to find out from the experiment are to determine
where is the flooding and loading point of the gas absorption as well as to determine the
pressure drop (P)as a function of gas (air) and liquid (water)mass velocities (m3/h) using
flexi glass packed with Raschig rings.
Loading and flooding point
At the flow rate called the loading point, the gas start to hander the liquid down flow and
local accumulations or pools of liquid start to appear in the packing. Flooding is an
undesirable state that occurs when the gas or liquid flow rate is too high for a given system
operation. At the point of flooding, the liquid begins to hold up in the column impeding the
flow of air which causes the pressure drop to rise. The hold up of water causes a decrease in
surface contact area between the gas and liquid streams which in turn decreases the rate of
mass transfer. Above the flooding velocity, the tower cannot operate. In this experiment, the
flooding point is noticed when the water in the packing column suddenly shooting up to the
column with high speed and the monometer reading starts to be unstable. This situation is
being discovered when the water flow rate is 40 (L/min) and the gas flow rate at 35 (L/min).
Notice that flooding point occurred at higher flow rate of water and also gas. At high gas flow
rate, the liquid is prevented from draining down the tower by the frictional drag of the gas on
11

the liquid. The loading point is the rest of the situation from 10 (L/min) until 30 (L/min) of
volume water flow rate.
Pressure drop (P)as a function of gas (air) and liquid (water) mass velocities (L/min)
using flexi glass packed with Raschig rings
There is a pressure drop occurs in the packed tower due to differences in pressure at the top
and bottom of the column due to intimate contact between the liquid and gas flow streams in
the packed column so that mass transfer yields. For this packed column, we used raschig
rings. Raschig rings are pieces of tube (approximately equal in length and diameter) used in
large numbers as a packed bed within columns for distillations and other chemical
engineering processes. The pressure drop for the volume water flow rate 1.0 (L/min), the
range is between 0.0 mm H2O until 15 mm H2O where 15 mm H2O is the highest pressure
drop at gas flow rate of 180 (L/min). While the pressure drop for the volume water flow rate
2.0 (L/min), the range is between 0.0 mm H 2O until 59 mm H2O where 59 mm H2O is the
highest pressure drop at gas flow rate of 180 (L/min). For volume water flow rate 3.0
(L/min), the pressure drop range is between 0.0 mm H 2O until flooding point at gas flow rate
of 140 (L/min). We noticed that as the gas flow rate increases, the pressure drop will also
increases. This is because packed tower used for continuous counter current contact of liquid
and gas is vertical columns which have been filled by packings. The liquid is distributed over
and trickles down to the packed bed thus exposing a large surface to contact the gas. The
frictional losses increase as the gas flow rate is increased. Since both the gas and liquid are
competing for the free cross-sectional area left by packing, an increase in liquid flow rate will
result in an increase in the frictional losses thus producing an increase in the pressure drop
also. The graph Ln (V) versus Ln (P / m packing) for every volume water flow rate also
clearly shows that the pressure drop increases linearly to the gas flow rate.
While undergoing the experiment, there are few mistakes that we made. One of them
that we do not control the valve VR-4 well so that the level of liquid returning to the water
reservoir must always be higher than the bottom of the reservoir. As a result, the pressure
reading on the monotube is not stable that make it harder for us to give an accurate value.
Furthermore, we also happened to have parallax error in reading the pressure value.

12

Figure 1 : packed tower of Raschig Rings

CONCLUSION
At the end of the experiment, we had managed to determine the loading and flooding
point where the loading point is from the volume water flow rate of 1.0 (L/min), 2.0 (L/min)
and 3.0 (L/min). When the volume water flow rate at 3.0 (L/min), the flooding point started at
gas flow rate of 140 (L/min). Other than that, we also had determined the pressure drop (P)
as a function of gas (air) and liquid (water) mass velocities ((L/min)) using flexi glass packed
with Raschig rings. The pressure drop for the volume water flow rate 1.0 (L/min), the range
is between 0.0 mm H2O until 15 mm H2O where 15 mm H2O is the highest pressure drop at
gas flow rate of 180 (L/min). While the pressure drop for the volume water flow rate 2.0
(L/min), the range is between 0.0 mm H 2O until 59 mm H2O where 59 mm H2O is the highest
pressure drop at gas flow rate of 180 (L/min). For volume water flow rate 3.0 (L/min), the
pressure drop range is between 0.0 mm H 2O until flooding point at gas flow rate of 140
(L/min). We can conclude that as the gas flow rate increasing, the pressure drop (P) will
also increase. Thus, we can conclude that all the objectives of the experiment had been
reached.

13

RECOMMENDATIONS
During the experiments, there are some mistakes that have been made. Those
mistakes had affected the result of experiment which is the pressure drop (P)as a function of
gas (air) and liquid (water)mass velocities ((L/min)) using flexi glass packed with Raschig
rings. The mistakes are caused by parallax error when reading the pressure on the monotube
and also due to the lack of control on the water pump. So, there are some recommendations in
order to improve our results in getting an accurate pressure drop. First, we need to make sure
that we set-up the arrangement of valves accordingly. For this experiment, we need to set up
the arrangement for valve for U-tube (Left) only. Then, we need to set-up the operating
arrangement. The U-tube (Right) and Sphere ball arrangement are not used. Make sure that,
the valve V-3 is closed. If not the water could not be pumped into the monotube. Other than
that, we need to make sure that the level of liquid returning to the water reservoir must
always be higher than the bottom of the reservoir. This is to avoid air being trapped in line. In
order to do that, valve VR-4 must be well controlled and conducted. If not, the water level in
the monotube would be unstable and hard for us to read the pressure. Moreover, we must
observed that there are no air bubble in the gas flow so it will not affect our results such as
the gas pressure is too low to pump the water up to the column. To avoid parallax error when
reading the pressure on the monotube, we must put a white paper behind the glass of the
monotube and with a ruler, we read the pressure with our eyes directly straight the scale. In
this experiment, there is calibration error in the scale of the liquid water flow rate
measurement where the scale begins at 11 (L/min). So, to begin with 10 (L/min), the volume
flow rate must be set up at 21 (L/min). Lastly, we have to constantly adjust the volume flow
rate when we change the gas flow rate. This is because the volume flow rate will
automatically change slightly from its initial position as we change the gas flow rate.

14

REFERENCES
CAG Gas Absorption Column. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from
http://www.edibon.com/products/catalogues/en/units/chemicalengineering/chemicalen
gineeringbasic/CAG.pdf.
Gas Absorption handouts. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from
http://www.engr.uconn.edu/~ewanders/CHEG237W/Gas-Absorption.pdf.
Gas-liquid Absorption Column. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from
http://www.eng.utoledo.edu/polymer/info/Courses/LabIIHandouts/Gas_absorption.pdf
Solution for Gas Absorption Experiment. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from
http://www.solution.com.my/pdf/BP05(A4).pdf.
Gas absorption Experiment. June 1, 2015 from
http://www.slideshare.net/dp93/gasabsorption-experiment.

15

Chemical Engineering: Gas Absorption Column. June 1, 2015 from

http://chem.engr.utc.edu/Webres/435F/ABS_COL/abs_col.html.
C.J. Geankoplis.Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles(includes unit
operations). Fourth edition. Page 119.

APPENDICES

16

Figure 1

Figure 2

Control unit

Water flow rate controller (LPM)

17

Figure 3

Figure 4

Gas absorption unit

Schematic diagram of gas absorption column

18