Sample Problem #6:

A mixture of ammonia and air is

scrubbed in a plate column with
fresh water. If the ammonia
concentration is reduced from 5%
to 0.01% and the water and air
rates are respectively 0.65 to 0.45
kg/m2s, how many theoretical plates
are required? The equilibrium
relationship can be written Y=X,
where X is the mole ratio in the
liquid phase.
GIVEN:

Y1
Fresh water 0.65 kg/m2s
0.65 kg/m2s 0.01% ammonia
N=?

YN+1
XN 0.45 kg/m2s
5% ammonia
 SOLUTION:
Top Coordinates:
Xo = 0
Y1 = ammonia / air
= 0.0001/ 0.999
  = 1.001 x 10-4
Bottom Coordinates:
  YN+1 = YN+1 / 1-YN+1
= 0.05/1-0.05 = 0.053

  NH3 in H2O = amt. in YN+1 – amt. \in Y1

=0.45 (0.05) – {0.95 (0.45) / 0.999} x0.0001

= 0.022 kg/m2s

XN = 0.022 / 0.65 = 0.035

 Pinch pt.
Y

YN+1 = 0.053

Operating line 1

2
Equilibrium line Y=X
3
Y1 = 1.001 x 10-4
4
X
XN = 0.035
Ntheo= 4.3 stages