4/10/2019 HCl Treatment: DDPS

Absorption of HCl in Water

The absorption of hydrogen chloride in water is strongly exothermic ~2100 kJ/kg HCl, which means that the absorption liquid
easily becomes warm. High concentrations of HCl in water can be achieved only at temperatures lower than 40°C (104°F) . In
order to keep these low temperatures, the removal of absorption energy is necessary. This removal is done in different ways,
as further described in isothermal and adiabatic HCl-absorption.

Boiling point of hydrochloric acid as function of the HCl-concentration

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Isothermal Absorption of Hydrogen Chloride

The preferred process to produce concentrated hydrochloric acid

The absorption process of HCl is called isothermal when the absorption heat is withdrawn along the absorption process. This
means that supplementary cooling devices are installed along the absorption column or a falling film absorption unit is used
instead of a column. The absorption process is then carried out at lower temperatures. This enables a higher concentration of
acid in the liquid compared to adiabatic absorption process.

Boiling point as a function of HCl-concentration in the liquid phase

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4/10/2019 HCl Treatment: DDPS

Falling Film Absorber

Hydrogen chloride feed gas enters at the top of the falling film absorber and flows co-currently with weak acid coming from the
tails tower. The heat that is released from the solution as a result of the absorption process is removed by the cooling water
flowing in the shell side of the falling film unit.

Product acid at up to 38% hydrochloric acid leaves at the bottom of the falling film absorber at a suitable temperature for
storage and is ready for pumping.

The remaining unabsorbed hydrogen chloride gas and any inert gases present leave at the bottom of the falling film unit and
enter at the bottom of the tails tower. Process feed water entering at the top of the tails tower absorbs the hydrogen chloride to
form dilute hydrochloric acid. The dilute acid flows by gravity to the top of the falling film absorber to serve as the liquid feed to
the tubes.

The QVF falling-film-absorber is a fully corrosion-resistant apparatus. Its special design features ensure that an even fluid
distribution is achieved on the tube side.

Packed Column with Cooling Loops

An alternative to the falling film evaporator is a column with a condenser and two additional cooling loops, as shown in the
diagram below. For the upper cooling loop, the liquid reflux is withdrawn and pumped through a heat exchanger. The feed of
the lower cooling loop is the bottom final product itself.

Falling film absorption unit

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