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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
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 .
Sulfur dioxide
Oxygen
11
50
93
160
315
1.9
6.8
12
24.4
56
0.08
0.13
0.33
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.;
Equilibrium curve
(y,x)
x
Figure 1 Equilibrium curve
pA H CA
p A partial pressureof A in gas phase
C A concentration of componentin liquid
H Henry's constant
RATE OF ABSORPTION
MAIN BULK
OF 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
MAIN BULK
OF 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
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
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
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
kG Ci CL
k L PG Pi
Rate of Absorption
This condition can be shown graphically as below where ABF is
equilibrium curve.
PG Pi
PG
E
Ci CL
Pi
PB
F
CL
Ci
Ce
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
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
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
Pi Pe
PG Pi
kG PG Pi k L Ci CL
1
1 P P
G i
kG k L Ci CL
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
dP Pi Pe
dC Ci CL
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
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
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*
0.03
0.06
0.12
0.18
157.8
210.6
261.0
285.6
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
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
1A
0.82
x 1G
H kL
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
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
m = 1 A = 2.079x10-4
c = H kL
= 2.653 x 10-3
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
0.82
kG 48100.10
0.82
kG 728.0
H
2.653 10 3
kL
c 2.653 10 3
k L 7538.6
PACKED TOWER
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.
: Packing Factor
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.
Mwt ammonia = 17
Mwt air = 29
PM
RT
1 atm 28.64
3
82.06
g
mol
cm atm
298.15 K
mol.K
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
G
G L
0 .5
2 0.0730
1 61.85
0 .5
0.06871
1.7 G G L G Fp 0.05
0.5
0.5
G 6.6381 ft s
lbm
ft
lbm
6
.
6381
0
.
4852
at flooding
ft 3
s
ft 2 s
lbm
lbm
0
.
2426
ft 2 s
ft 2 s
lbm
lbm
0.4852 2
2
ft s
ft s
ft s
lbm
and GL 0.4852 2 . The new capacity parameter is 0.5 x 1.7 = 0.85.
ft s
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
Lin = 4 kg/s
xA = 0
Gout = ?
yA = ?
27OC
0.987 atm
80% NH3 is
removed
Lout = L
Lwater = 4 kg/s
xA = ?
Mwt ammonia = 17
Mwt air = 29
PM
RT
82.06
g
mol
cm atm
300.15 K
mol.K
1.090 10 3 g cm3
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
kg
kmol
x17
0.1226 kg/s
s
kmol
Mass of Gout Mass of gas in Mass of NH 3 absorbed 1.308 0.0981 1.2099 kg/s
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
y-coordinate = 0.066
0 .1
G' 2C f L J
G L G g c
0.066
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.
Gm
Lm
y2
x2
x
dZ
y + dy
x + dx
Gm
Lm
y1
x1
NA = mol / (m2.s)
a = Interfacial area / Volume of
column
kG aPG Pi A dZ Gm Ady
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
Gm
Z
kG aPT
y1
y2
dy
y yi
Z = height of tower
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
Lm
K L aCT
dx
x* x
Simplifying:
Z H OG NOG
Z H OL NOL
The number of transfer unit (NOG) can be calculated using several method
which will be discussed later.
Graphical 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
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
Operating
line
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
x x1 y1 ope ratingline
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
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
Location 1
Location 2
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
or
dx
x* x
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
Data given:
Cross sectional A of column = 1 m2
Mwt air = 29
Mwt acetone = 58
Mwt H2O = 18
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
Gm in mass unit
Area
M wt
kg
2
m
s 1m 2 0.03448 kmol
Gm
kg
s
29
kmol
1.0
x x1 y1 ope ratingline
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
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
x x1 y1
G
G
y 2.578 x C
y
y1* Hx1
y * 1.75 x
y1 y2
ln y y *
0.00015 0
5.05 10
ln y y
1.4242 10
5.2 10 3
ln
0
.
00015
ln y y *
1.4242 103
Height of absorber, Z
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
Colburns Method
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
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
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
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
Height of absorber, Z
Z H OG N OG
Z 0.3m 11
Z 3.3m
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.
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)
0.000
0.053
0.111
0.177
0.250
Mol NH3
mol air
0.000
0.044
0.089
0.159
0.280
Gm
y2 = 0.00015
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
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
kmol
kmol
3.025
h
h
kmol B
kmol B
kmol
kmol B
G1 0.795
295.12
234.62
kmol
kmol
h
h
kmol
h
kmol
h
kmol
kmol
57.475
h
h
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
Mwt H2O = 18
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
kmol
h
kmol
h
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'
mol of NH 3
mol of wate r
57.799 kmol
X 1'
305.25 kmol
X 1' 0.189
X 1'
mol of NH 3
Y
mol of Air
3.025 kmol
Y2'
234.62 kmol
Y2' 0.013
'
2
mol of NH 3
mol of wate r
0.324 kmol
X 2'
305.25 kmol
X 2' 0.001
X 2'
0.175
0.15
0.125
0.1
0.075
0.05
0.025
0
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
equilibrium line
x
Minimum value of flow rate is where:
Exit liquid [ ] = Equilibrium [ ]
or
Inlet gas [ ] = Equilibrium [ ]