Module 9005 Assignment: Filtration-Adsorption

Part A Filtration - Background and Task

Filtration and drying are two important unit operations in most pharmaceutical and
chemical processes and are usually carried out in series. In the aspirin production process
you will have conducted mass and energy balances over the filter. Based on these
balances, critically examine a number of filtration options and select what you consider to
be the most suitable types, giving your reasons.
Filtration unit operation:
The stream from the crystalliser is fed to a filtration unit (feed composition is based on
the mass balance performed in Module 9001). Laboratory tests have given the following
data. (Assume an incompressible filter-cake and that the resistance related to the filter
medium and initial layer is negligible)
The filter cake porosity = 0.1
Filtrate specific gravity = 1.0 kg per litre
Specific resistance of the filter-cake, r = 8.0 x 1013 m-2.
Filtrate viscosity, μ = 1.0 x 10-3 Ns m-2

Design vacuum and pressure filtration units for the required duty. Support your argument
with clear references to both authoritative literature and your design calculations.
After washing, the filter-cake is pre-dried down to 2.0%w/w water in the filtration unit
before being fed to the dryer.

Guideline assessment matrix for this assignment

% A B C D E
85-100 70-84 55-69 40-54 Below 40

Literature Excellent Very good Good Fair amount Fail does not
survey realisation of realisation of majority of of objectives realise
15 objectives objectives objectives realised objectives
realised
Selection Excellent Very good Some Limited use Has not read
criteria research of research research in of references up on subject
15 material using library library or
and www www

Sizing/ Excellent Very good Good Fair amount Fail does not
Calculation theoretical theoretical theoretical of theoretical realise
40 work and work and work and work and objectives
theoretical theoretical theoretical theoretical
analysis and analysis and analysis and analysis and
solutions solutions solutions solutions
Filter – dryer Excellent Very good Good survey Fair survey Fail does not
survey survey survey realise
15 objectives

(50 marks)
Part B Filtration lab
There is a lab demonstration on the filtration rig in G40. Students should present a full
report on the experiment. A complete set of data and the marking scheme will be given
during the laboratory demonstration

(30
marks)

Part C Adsorption
Answer BOTH problems:

Problem No. 1:
Adsorption on 6x10-mesh activated carbon is being considered to recover methyl ethyl
ketone (MEK) from an air stream at 25 oC and 1 atm. The airflow is 12,000 std ft3/min,
and the air has 0.4 lb MEK/1000 std ft3. If the superficial velocity is 0.5ft/s, and an
adsorption cycle of at least 8 h is desired, what bed dimensions should be used? Assume
the bulk density of the carbon is 30 lb/ft3.

Problem No. 2:
Granular carbon is used to remove phenol from an aqueous waste. If 10x20 –mesh carbon
is used with a superficial velocity of 0.03m/s, estimate the number of transfer units in a
bed 4 m deep. The effective diffusivity in the particles can be taken as 0.2 times the bulk
diffusivity.

Guideline assessment matrix for this part

% A B C D E
85-100 70-84 55-69 40-54 Below 40

Theoretical Excellent Very good Good Fair amount Fail does not
work and or realisation realisation majority of of realise objectives
mathematical of of objectives objectives
analysis and objectives objectives realised realised
solution

60

Research Excellent Very good Some Limited use Has not read up
research of research research in of on subject
30 material using library or references
library and www
www

Standard report Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

format presentation presentation presentation presentation presentation
presentation

10
 (2x10 marks)
Final Submission Date for this assignment is 21/04/09