TABLE OF CONTENTS

No. Title Page

1.0 Abstract/Summary 1

2.0 Introduction 1

3.0 Aims 4

4.0 Theory 5

5.0 Apparatus 6

6.0 Methodology/Procedure 7

7.0 Results 9

8.0 Calculations 10

9.0 Discussion 22

10.0 Conclusion 23

11.0 Recommendations 24

12.0 Reference/Appendix 25

1
ABSTRACT

Gas absorption is a process in which the soluble part of mixture are transferred to a
liquid. Gas absorption is done in a packed column. This report are done to examine the
air pressure drop across the column as the function of air flow rate for different water
flow rates through the column. When the air pressure drop to certain limit, the
phenomena known as flooding will occur in which the system can no longer operate as
it is. Hence, the flooding point is to be determined as to make sure that the process
should be made to operate under the flooding point.

INTRODUCTION

Gas absorption is a process in which the soluble parts of a gas mixture are transferred
to or dissolved in a liquid. The reverse process, called desorption or stripping, is used to
transfer volatile parts from a liquid mixture to a gas.[1]
Therefore there will be mass transfer of the component of the gas from the gas phase to
the liquid phase. The solute transferred is said to be absorbed by the liquid. In gas
desorption (or stripping), the mass transfer is in the opposite direction, of which the
transfer is from the liquid phase to gas phase. The principle of both systems are the
same. But from here and on, we are only interested in gas absorption.
There are 2 types of absorption processes; physical absorption and chemical
absorption, depending on whether there is any chemical reaction between the solute
and the solvent (absorbent).
When water and hydrocarbon oils are used as absorbents, no significant chemical
reaction occur between the absorbent and the solute, and the process is commonly
referred to the physical absorption. When aqueous sodium hydroxide (a strong base) is
used as the absorbent to dissolve an acid gas, absorption is accompanied by a rapid
and irreversible neutralization reaction in the liquid phase and the process is referred to
as chemical absorption or reactive absorption.

2
Gas absorption equipment is designed to achieve the greatest practicable interfacial
area between the gas and the liquid streams, so that liquid sprays and gas-bubbling
devices are often employed. In many cases, a vertical array of trays is so arranged that
the liquid descends over a series of perforated trays, or flows down over ceramic
packing that fills a tower.

For the hydrogenation of oils, absorption is followed by reaction of the hydrogen with the
oil, and a nickel catalyst is used to speed up the reactions. Also, pressure is applied to
increase gas concentrations and therefore speed up the reaction rates. Practical
problems are concerned with arranging distribution of the catalyst, as well as of oil and
hydrogen. Some designs spray oil and catalyst into hydrogen, others bubble hydrogen
through a continuous oil phase in which catalyst particles are suspended.

For the stripping of volatile flavours and taints in deodorizing equipment, the steam
phase is in general the continuous one and the liquid is sprayed into this and then
separated. In one design of cream deodorizing plant, cream is sprayed into an
atmosphere of steam and the two streams then pass on to the next stages, or the steam
may be condensed and fresh steam used in the next stage. [2]

AIMS

To examine the air pressure drop across the column as a function of air flow rate for
different water flow rates through the column.

3
THEORY

Another definition of gas absorption/desorption is a process in which a gaseous mixture

is brought into contact with a liquid and during the contact a component is transferred
between the gas stream and liquid stream. The gas may be bubbled through the liquid,
or it may be passed over streams of the liquid, arranged to provide a large surface
through which the mass transfer can occur. The liquid film in this latter case can flow
down the sides of the columns or over packing, or it can cascade from one tray to
another with the liquid falling and the gas rising in the counter flow. The gas, or
component of it, either dissolves in the liquid (absorption) or extracts a volatile
component from the liquid (desorption). [2]
In every packed tower with a given size of packing and type, has an upper limit to the
rate of gas flow known as flooding velocity of which the tower cannot operate above the
velocity mentioned earlier. At low gas velocities the liquid flows downward through the
packing uninfluenced by the upward gas flow. As the gas flow rate increases at low gas
velocities the pressure drop starts to rise at higher rate. The liquid accumulation
increases as the gas flow rate is increased. At the flooding point, the liquid will no longer
have the ability to flow down through the pack column and later is blown out with or by
the gas.[3]

4
APPARATUS

1. Solteq-QVF Absorption Column (model : BP 751-B)

5
METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE

A) General Start-Up Procedures

1. Ensure all valves are closed except the ventilation valve V13.
2. Check that all gas connections are properly fitted.
3. Open the valve on the compressed air supply line. Set the supply pressure to

between 2 to 3 barr by turning the regulator knob clockwise.

4. Open the shut-off valve on the CO2 gas cylinder. Check that the CO2 cylinder

pressure is sufficient. Replace the cylinder if necessary.

5. Turn on the power for the control panel.

B) Experimental Procedures: Hydrodynamic of a Packed Column (Wet Column

Procedure Drop)

1. Perform the general start-up procedures described above.

2. The receiving vessel B2 was filled through the charge port with 50L of water by

opening valve V3 and V5. Then, valve 3 was closed.

3. Valve V10 and V9 was opened slightly. The flow of water from vessel B1 through

pump 1 was observed.

4. Pump P1 was switched on, valve V11 was opened and adjusted slowly to give a

water flow rate around 1 L/min. The water was allowed to enter the top of the

column K1, flow down the column and accumulate at the bottom until it overflows

back into vessel B1.

5. Valve V11 was opened and adjusted to give a water flow rate of 1 L/min into the

column K1.
6. Valve V1 was opened and adjusted to give an air flow rate of 20 L/min into

column K1.
7. The pressure drop was recorded after 2 minutes.
8. Step 4 to 5 was repeated with different values of air flow rate, each time

increasing by 20 L/min while maintaining the same water flow rate.

9. Step 3 to 6 was repeated with different values of water flow rate, each time

increasing by 1 L/min by adjusting valve V11.

6
 10. The water flow rate was observed until 3 L/min.

3 General Shut-Down Procedures

1. Switch off pump P1.

2. Close valves V1, V2 and V12.
3. Close the valve on the compressed air supply line and exhaust the supply

pressure by turning the regulator knob counterclockwise all the way.

4. Close the shut-off valve on the CO2 gas cylinder.
5. Drain all liquid in the column K1 by opening valve V4 and V5.
6. Drain all liquid from the receiving vessels B1 and B2 by opening valves V7 and

V8.
7. Drain all liquid from the pump P1 by opening valve V10.
8. Turn off the power for the control panel.

RESULT

Flow Pressure drop (mm H2O)

rate
(L/min)
air 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
water
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1.0 6 10 16 25 33 42 46 51
2.0 33 34 37 39 43 54 78 -
3.0 0 2 5 10 33 - - -

Table 1 : Pressure drop and air flow rate

7
 Figure 1 : Pressure Drop vs Air Flow Rate

CALCULATIONS

Density of air = 1.175 kg/m2

Density of water = 996 kg/m2
Column diameter = 80 mm
Area of packed column diameter = 0.005027 m2
Packing Factor = 900 m
Water viscosity = 0.001Ns/m2

Theoretical Flooding Point :

GG gas flow rate (kg/m2s)

8
GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.0779 kg / m2s

GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.1558 kg / m2s

GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.2337 kg / m2s

GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.3117 kg / m2s

GG =

9
 =

0.005027 m2
= 0.3896 kg / m2s

GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.4675 kg / m2s

GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.5454 kg / m2s

GG =

0.005027 m2
= 0.6233 kg / m2s

Capacity parameter, y-axis :

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

10
 = 13.1 (0.0779)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.0154

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

= 13.1 (0.1558)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.0615

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

= 13.1 (0.2337)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.1384

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

= 13.1 (0.3117)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.2463
11
y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

= 13.1 (0.3896)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.3847

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

= 13.1 (0.4675)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.5539

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

= 13.1 (0.5454)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.7539

y-axis = 13.1 (GG)2 Fp ( 0.1

12
 = 13.1 (0.6233)2 (900)( 0.1

1.175 (996 1.175)

= 0.9844

GL , liquid flowrate per unit column cross-sectional area

GL =

0.005027 m2
= 3.302 kg/m2s

GL =

0.005027 m2
= 6.6004 kg/m2s

GL =

0.005027 m2
= 9.9065 kg/m2s
13
Flow parameter , x-axis
GL = 3.3022 kg/m2s

x-axis =

= 1.4561

x-axis =

=0.7281

x-axis =

= 0.4854

x-axis =

14
 = 0.3639

x-axis =

= 0.2911

x-axis =

= 0.2426

x-axis =

= 0.2080

x-axis =

= 0.1820
15
GL = 6.6004 kg/m2s

x-axis =

= 2.9104

x-axis =

= 1.4552

x-axis =

= 0.9701

x-axis =

= 0.7274
16
x-axis =

= 0.5819

x-axis =

= 0.4850

x-axis =

= 0.4157

x-axis =

= 0.3637

17
GL = 9.9065 kg/m2s

x-axis =

= 4.3683

x-axis =

= 2.1841

x-axis =

= 1.4561

x-axis =

= 1.0917

18
x-axis =

= 0.8734

x-axis =

= 0.7279

x-axis =

= 0.6239

x-axis =

= 0.5459

19
 Water Flow Rate (L/min) GL (kg/m2s)
1.0 3.3022
2.0 6.6004
3.0 9.9065
Table 2 : Water Flowrate and GL , Liquid Flowrate per Unit Column Cross-sectional Area

Air flow rate GG (kg/m2s) Capacity Flow parameter

(L/min) Parameter (y-axis) (x-axis)
1.0L 2.0L 3.0L
20 0.0779 0.0154 1.4561 2.9104 4.3683
40 0.1558 0.0615 0.7281 1.4552 2.1841
60 0.2337 0.1384 0.4854 0.9701 1.4561
80 0.3117 0.2463 0.3639 0.7274 1.0917
100 0.3896 0.3847 0.2911 0.5819 0.8734
120 0.4675 0.5539 0.2426 0.4850 0.7279
140 0.5454 0.7539 0.2080 0.4157 0.6239
160 0.6233 0.9847 0.1820 0.3637 0.5459
2
Table 3 : Air Flowrate, Gas Flowrate (kg/m s) abrv. GG, Capacity Parameter, and Flow

Parameter

20
 Figure 2 : Theoretical Pressure Drop Correlation Chart For Random Packings

Percentage of error

Water flow rate Theoretical air Experimental air Error

(L/min) flowrate (L/min) flowrate (L/min)
1.0 180 160 11.1
2.0 140 140 0
3.0 100 100 0

Table 4 : Comparison of theoretical and correlation of flooding point

DISCUSSIONS

21
 Based on the experiment that has been held, the interest is to examine the air
pressure drop across the packed column as a function of air flow rate for different water
flow rates through the column. The experiment based on the flow rate of liquid and gas
in the packed column. Firstly the water flow rate is kept constant to 1 L/min and the air
flow rate is then recorded after 2 minute time interval. Air flow rate is kept rising at
constant by 20 L/min by each 2 minutes. All reading of the pressure drop is then being
recorded until the flooding point is reached. The pressure drops of air at 1 L /min of
water flow rate are 6,10,16,25,33,42,46 and 51 respectively to
20,40,60,80,100,120,140,160 and 180 L/min of air flow rate. Then, water flow rate is the
adjusted to 2 L/min. The data recorded are 33,34,37,39,43,54,78 and 83 respectively to
20,40,60,80,100,120,140,160 and 180 L/min of air flow rate. Then, the water flow rate
being adjusted to 3 L/min whereby the data recorded are 0, 2,5,10 and 33. The data
cannot reach 180 L/min of air flow rate as the water has sprayed out from the column
due to high flow rate. This is called flooding point and beyond 100 L/min of air, the
flooding occurs. Theoretically, the pressure drop will increase as the air flow rate
increase [2]. The graph of column Pressure drop vs. air flow rate is plotted and in which
the results from the plotted graph shown that the higher air flow rate show increases of
pressure drop. For correlated value of pressure drop, a graph which is capacity
parameter against flow rate parameter is plotted. From the graph, the capacity
parameter is inversely proportional to flow rate parameter.

CONCLUSION
22
 In conclusion, the air pressure drop across the column increases as the air flow
rate increases as well as the water flow rate through the packed column. From the
experiment, the value of experimental pressure drop is higher than the correlated values
for packed column. Calculation for percentage error has been made and at water
flowrate of 1 LPM for packed column, the value of error is 11.1%. Meanwhile, there are
no percentage error for water flowrate at 2 LPM and 3 LPM. The percentage error
between experimental and correlated calculations of flooding point is due to some
unexpected instrumental error as the pump has to be shut in the middle of the
experiment as flooding occurs. This error has affected the experiment therefore, the
equipment should have been checked first before conducting the experiment and the
flooding point has to be watched closely to prevent it from happening.

RECOMMENDATIONS
23
 Throughout the experiment, in order to reduce the potential of inaccuracy in
obtaining measured data, a few precaution steps must be considered during conducting
the experiment. In this experiment, there are several precaution steps that we have to
do to ensure our experiment run smoothly and to obtain more accurate data and
measurements.
First, water level in the column should not exceed the gas inlet pipe. Water level
should be maintain below the gas inlet pipe by controlling the valve constantly until
flooding point is reach. Next, the reading of water flow rate should be read from ending
point of cap of the float, which is the largest diameter part of the float. Next, the reading
of air flow rate should be read from the bottom of the float, not from the top. Remember
to read the reading with eyes perpendicular with the scale to avoid parallax error. Lastly,
be prepare to close water and air valve when the water level when flooding point is
reached. Water and air valve should be close before water level reach the top of the
column to prevent the water from spray out from the column.

REFERENCES
24
[1] Perry, Robert H., and Green. Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook. New York:
McGraw-Hill, Inc. (1984), pp 14-6, 18-22-2
[2] Nzifst.org.nz, 2015, Unit Operations in Food Processing - R. L. Earle. [online]. 2015.
[Accessed 12 October 2015]. Available from:
http://www.nzifst.org.nz/unitoperations/conteqseparation8.htm
[3] Geankoplis, C.J. (2003). Transport Processes and Separation Process Principle, 4th
Edition. New York: Prentice Hall, pp 657-660
[4] Separationprocesses.com, 2015, Introduction to Gas Absorption. [online]. 2015.
[Accessed 12 October 2015]. Available from:
http://www.separationprocesses.com/Absorption/GA_Chp03.htm

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