Absorption

NPTEL – Chemical – Mass Transfer Operation 1
MODULE 4: ABSORPTION
LECTURE NO. 1
Introduction
Gas absorption: It is a mass transfer operation in which one or more gas

solutes is removed by dissolution in a liquid. The inert gas in the gas mixture is
called “carrier gas”. In the absorption process of ammonia from air-ammonia
mixture by water, air is carrier gas, ammonia is „solute” and water is absorbent.
An intimate contact between solute gas and absorbent liquid is achieved in a
suitable absorption equipment, namely, tray tower, packed column, spray tower,
venture scrubber, etc. Desorption or stripping operation is the reverse of
absorption. Absorption operation is of two types; physical and chemical.
𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 + 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑡 + 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑔𝑎𝑠
4.1. Equilibrium solubility of gases in liquids
For the determination of driving force in any mass transfer operation, the
solubility of a species in a solvent, i.e., equilibrium distribution between phases is
important. With the increase in temperature, solubility of a gas in liquid
decreases. Hence, absorption is done at lower temperature. On the contrary,
desorption is done at higher temperature. The equilibrium characteristics of a
gas-liquid system is discussed in chapter 3 (Mass Transfer Coefficient).
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4.2. Selection of solvent for absorption and stripping
If the objective of absorption is separation of a particular component from

a mixture, selection of absorbent plays a great role and when absorption
operation is used to prepare a solution, solvent is selected according to final
product.
Few criteria for the selection of an absorbent are as follows:
(A) Gas Solubility: High solubility of a gas in the solvent is preferred,

utilizing low quantity of solvent. Absorbent should not dissolve carrier
gas. Similar chemical nature of solute and absorbent (solvent) gives a
good solubility. If chemical reaction takes place between solute and
solvent, rate of absorption is extremely high. But the reaction should be
reversible to recover solvent during desorption.
(B) Volatility: Low volatility or low vapor pressure of the solvent enhances
the adsorption operation as solvent loss with carrier gas is very small.
Sometimes, a second less volatile solvent is used to recover the first
solvent.
(C) Viscosity: For better absorption, a solvent of low viscosity is required.
In mechanically agitated absorber, greater amount of power is required
for high viscous solvent and flooding is also caused at lower liquid and
gas flow rates.
(D) Corrosiveness: Non-corrosive or less corrosive solvent reduces
equipment construction cost as well as maintenance cost.
(E) Cost: The solvent should be cheap so that losses will be insignificant
and should be easily available.
(F) Toxicity and Hazard: The solvent should be non-toxic, non-
flammable, non-hazardous and should be chemically stable.
Steam is generally used in desorption or stripping medium as

stripped solute can be recovered very easily by condensing steam leaving
desorption tower.

4.3. Design of single stage counter-current flow absorption

tower (packed tower)
Two common gas absorption equipments are packed tower and plate
tower. Other absorption equipments are, namely, spray column, agitated
contactor, venture scrubber, etc. The gas and the liquid phases come in contact
in several discrete stages. Thus, a stage wise contact is there in a plate column.
But in packed tower, the up-flowing gas remains in contact with down-flowing
liquid throughout the packing, at every point of the tower. Therefore, packed
tower is known as “continuous differential contact equipment It is different from
the stage-wise distillation column. In the stage distillation column the equilibrium
in each stage will vary not in a continuous fashion whereas in the packed column
the equilibrium is changed point wise in each axial location.
Steps for the design of packed tower
(A) Selection of solvent

(B) Selection of packing
(C) Calculation of minimum solvent flow rate as well as actual solvent flow
rate
(D) Column diameter
(E) Height of column
(F) Design of solvent distributors and redistributors (if needed)
(G) Design of gas distributor, packing support, shell, nozzles, column support
(a) Equilibrium data; (b) gas and liquid flow rates; (c) solute concentration
in two terminals; (d) individual and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficients
should be known for the design of a packed absorption tower.

Packing Materials:
Packing materials are utilized to provide large interfacial area of contact

between two phases. These are made from either of ceramics, metals or plastics.
A number of packing materials with various size, shape and performance are
available. These are classified into three types, namely, dumped or random,
structured and grid.
The packing materials have following characteristics:
(a) Cost: The cost of the packing materials should be very low.
(b) Surface area: A large interfacial area of contact is always recommended. In

that case, pressure drop will be more.
(c) Void volume: A high void volume is needed to maintain low pressure drop.
(d) Fouling resistance: Packing materials should not trap suspended solids
present in liquid. Bigger packing materials generally give low fouling resistance.
(e) Mechanical strength: Good mechanical strength is desired for choosing

packing materials as this will not break or deform during filling or operation.
(f) Uniform flow of streams: Stack of packing materials should have uniform
void spaces through which both the streams (gas and liquid) can flow uniformly.
Non-uniform flow of streams leads to stagnant liquid pool which in turn gives low
mass transfer.
(A) Dumped or random packing materials: Dumped or random packing

materials are classified into three categories as first generation (1907 to mid
1950); second generation (mid 1950 to mid 1970) and third generation (mid 1970
to till date). The first generation random packing materials are of three
categories, such as, (a) Raschig rings; (b) Lessing rings and modified Raschig
rings and (c) Berl saddles. These are shown in Figure 4.1.

(a) Raschig rings; (b) Lessing rings and (c) Berl saddle
modified Raschig rings
(Cross-partition rings)
Figure 4.1: First generation dumped or random packing materials
The second generation random packing materials are mainly (a) Intalox saddle
and modification; (b) Pall ring and modification. Intalox saddle is the modified
version of Berl saddle and offers less friction resistance due to particular shape
(two saddles will never nest). Pall rings are modified version of Raschig rings.
These are shown in Figure 4.2.
(a) Intalox saddle and modification (b) Pall ring and modification
Figure 4.2: Second generation dumped or random packing materials.
The third generation random packing materials are numeral; (a) Intalox Metal
Tower Packing (IMTP); (b) Nutter ring; (c) Cascade Mini-Ring (CMR); (d) Jaeger
Tripac; (e) Koch Flexisaddle; (f) Nor-Pac; (g) Hiflow ring, etc. These are shown in
Figure 4.3.

(b) Nutter ring

(a) Intalox Metal (c) Cascade Mini-
Tower Packing Ring (CMR)
(IMTP) (d) Jaeger Tripac
(e) Koch Flexisaddle (f) Nor-Pac (g) Hiflow ring
Figure 4.3: Third generation dumped or random packing materials.
(B) Structured packing materials: These materials are used widely as packing
materials in packed tower due to low gas pressure drop and improved efficiency.
Corrugated metal sheet structured packing and Wire mesh structured packing
materials are widely used in the industries. These include Mellapak, Flexipak,
Gempak, Montz and MaxPak. These are shown in Figure 4.4.
Montez
Flexipak Corrugated metal
sheet Wire mesh packing
Mellapak
Figure 4.4: Snapshots of some structured packing materials.
(C) Grid packing materials: This packing material is used for high gas or vapor
capacities at low pressure drop.Mellagrid series; Flexigrid series; Snap grid
series are among these grids. Figures 4.1-4.4 are taken from Google image.

LECTURE NO. 2
Design of packed tower

The cross sectional view of the packed tower is shown in Figure 4.5.
Design of packed tower may be

(I) on the basis of individual mass transfer coefficients or
(II) on the basis of overall mass transfer coefficient.
/
𝐺2 , y2
/
2 𝐿2 , x2
dh hT
Packing section h
1 /
𝐺1 , y1
/
𝐿1 , x1
Figure 4.5: Cross sectional view of packed tower.
The column is packed with packing materials (any type) to provide more
contact between gas and liquid.

Let, G/ and L/ are gas and liquid flow rate per unit area basis, mol/h.m 2. ā
is specific interfacial contact area between gas and liquid, m 2/m3. The mole
fraction of solute in gas is y.
Hence, solute flow rate in gas= G/y mol/h.m2
The decrease in solute flow rate over the thickness
dh=d(G/y) (4.1)
For a unit cross-sectional area (1m2), volume of differential section=1×dh m3 and
interfacial area of contact in differential section= ā×1×dh m2
If NA is solute flux and ky is individual gas-phase mass transfer coefficient, solute
transfer through differential section= ā×dh×NA.
Therefore,
-[G/dy+ y dG/]= ā×dh×NA (4.2)
-G/dy- y dG/= ā×dh×NA (4.3)
The change in total gas flow rate (dG/) is equal to rate of solute transfer
(ā×dh×NA) as carrier gas is not soluble, i.e.,
- dG/= ā×dh×NA (4.4)
Putting the value of –dG/ in Equation 4.3, we have,
-G/dy+ā×dh×NA y= ā×dh×NA
(4.5)
-G/dy = ā×dh×NA(1-y)
𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦
𝑑ℎ = − 𝑎 = −𝑎 (4.6)
1−𝑦 𝑁𝐴 1−𝑦 𝑘 𝑦 (𝑦 −𝑦 𝑖 )
Boundary conditions:
h=0; y=y1
h=hT; y=y2
Integration of Equation 4.6 gives the height of packed column as follows:
ℎ𝑇 𝑦2 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦 𝑦1 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦
ℎ𝑇 = 0
𝑑ℎ = − 𝑦 1 𝑎 1−𝑦 𝑘 𝑦 (𝑦 −𝑦 𝑖 )
= 𝑦 2 𝑎 1−𝑦 𝑘 𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 𝑖 )
(4.7)
Interfacial solute concentration, yi is not known; hence the integration of the right
hand side of Equation 4.7 is complicated.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE
(1) For a particular gas-liquid system, draw equilibrium curve on X-Y plane.
(2) Draw operating line in X-Y plane (PQ) using material balance Equation.
Lower terminal Q (X2, Y2) and upper terminal P (X1, Y1) are placed in x-y plane.
Overall mass balance Equation for the absorption tower is as follows:
𝐺𝑠 𝑌1 − 𝑌2 = 𝐿𝑠 𝑋1 − 𝑋2
𝑦1 𝑦 𝑥1 𝑥
𝐺𝑠 − 1−𝑦2 = 𝐿𝑠 − 1−𝑥2 (4.8)
1−𝑦 1 2 1−𝑥 1 2
If liquid mass flow rate, Ls is not known, minimum liquid mass flow rate (Ls)min is
to be determined. Ls is generally 1.2 to 2 times the (Ls)min.
1.0
Slope=(Ls)min/Gs
/
P P
Y1 0.8
Operating line with
slope=Ls/Gs
0.6 Pinch point
A(X,Y)
Y
0.4
Y2 Q
Equilibrium line
0.2 Tie line
B(Xi,Yi)
0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Xmax 1.0
X2
X X1
Figure 4.6: Graphical determination of (Ls)min for absorption.
In Figure 4.6, lower terminal of absorption tower is represented by Q (X2,

Y2); i.e., bottom of the tower. Operating line is PQ. If liquid rate is decreased,
slope of operating line (Ls/Gs) also decreases and operating line shifts from PQ to
P/Q, when touches equilibrium line. This operating line is tangent to equilibrium
line.
(𝐿𝑠 )𝑚𝑖𝑛
Slope of 𝑃/ 𝑄 =
𝐺𝑠
The driving force for absorption is zero at P/ and is called “PINCH POINT”.
(3) A point A (x, y) is taken on the operating line. From the known value of kx
and ky or kxā and kyā, a line is drawn with slope of kx /ky to equilibrium line,
B(xi,yi). Line AB is called “TIE LINE” and xi and yi are known for a set of values of
x and y.
(4) Step (3) is repeated for other points in the operating line to get several
(xi,yi) sets for y1≥y≥y2.
(5) Calculate flow rate of gas G (kg/h) at each point as G=Gs(1+y).
(6) Calculate height of the packing hT of Equation 4.7 graphically or
numerically.
The height of the „stripping column‟ is also obtained in a similar way. For
stripping, y2>y1 and driving force is (yi-y). The corresponding design Equation will
be
𝑦2 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦
ℎ𝑇 = 𝑦 1 𝑎 1−𝑦 𝑘 𝑦 (𝑦 𝑖 −𝑦)
(4.9)

LECTURE NO. 3
4.4. Design of packed tower based on overall mass transfer

coefficient
From overall mass transfer equation, N A  K y ( y AG  y*A ) one can write for packed
tower as
NA=Ky(y-y*)
Then,
𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑕 = − 𝐾 (4.10)
𝑦𝑎 1−𝑦 (𝑦 −𝑦 ∗ )
where, y* is solute concentration in gas phase that is capable of remaining in

equilibrium with a liquid having a bulk concentration of x.
Therefore,
𝑕𝑇 𝑦1 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦
𝑕𝑇 = 0
𝑑𝑕 = 𝑦 2 𝐾𝑦 𝑎 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 ∗ )
𝑦1 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦
= 𝑦2 𝑘 𝐺 𝑎 𝑃 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 𝑖 )
𝑥1 𝐿 / 𝑑𝑥
= 𝑥 2 𝑘 𝐿 𝑎 (𝐶𝑎𝑣 ) 1−𝑥 (𝑥 𝑖 −𝑥)
(4.11)
Graphical integration of right hand side of Equation (4.11):

Operating line AB is drawn in xy plane. Any point (x,y) is taken in operating line.
A vertical line is drawn upto equilibrium line to get y*.
𝑥1 𝐿 / 𝑑𝑥 𝑦1 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦 𝑥1 𝐿 / 𝑑𝑥
𝑕𝑇 = =
𝑥 2 𝐾𝑥 𝑎 1−𝑥 (𝑥 −𝑥) 𝑦 2 𝐾𝐺 𝑎 𝑃 1−𝑦 (𝑦 −𝑦 ∗ )
∗
= 𝑥 2 𝑘 𝐿 𝑎 (𝐶𝑎𝑣 ) 1−𝑥 (𝑥 ∗ −𝑥)
(4.12)

5.5. Design based on height of a transfer unit (HTU)

Equation 4.7 can be written as
𝑕𝑇 𝑦1 𝐺 / 𝑦 𝑖𝐵𝑀 𝑑𝑦 𝑦1 𝐺 / (1−𝑦)𝑖𝑀 𝑑𝑦
𝑕𝑇 = 0
𝑑𝑕 = 𝑦 2 𝑘 𝑦 𝑎 𝑦 𝑖𝐵𝑀 1−𝑦 (𝑦 −𝑦 𝑖 )
= 𝑦 2 𝑘 𝑦 𝑎 (1−𝑦)𝑖𝑀 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 𝑖 )
(4.13)
1−𝑦 𝑖 −(1−𝑦)
where, 𝑦𝑖𝐵𝑀 = (1 − 𝑦)𝑖𝑀 = 1−𝑦 𝑖
𝑙𝑛
(1−𝑦 )
𝐺/ 𝑦 1 (1−𝑦)𝑖𝑀 𝑑𝑦
𝑕𝑇 = 𝑘 (4.14)
𝑦𝑎 (1−𝑦)𝑖𝑀 𝑦 2 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 𝑖 )
𝐺/
As, remains constant at the packing section though G/ varies. This
𝑘 𝑦 𝑎 (1−𝑦)𝑖𝑀
quantity is called ‘height if transfer units’ (HTU) and designated as HtG. It is

important to measure the separation effectiveness of the particular packings for a
particular separation process. It also describes the mass transfer coefficient.
Larger mass transfer coefficient leads to the smaller value of HTU.
Hence,
𝐺/ 𝐺/
𝐻𝑡𝐺 = = / (4.15)
𝑘 𝑦 𝑎 (1−𝑦)𝑖𝑀 𝑘𝑦 𝑎
The integral part of Equation (4.14) is called number of gas phase transfer
units as NtG.
hT= HtG ×NtG
When overall gas phase mass transfer coefficients are used, the height of
the packing is as follows:
𝑦1 𝐺 / 𝑑𝑦 𝐺/ 𝑦1 𝑑𝑦
𝑕𝑇 = ∗ =𝐾 ∗ = 𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 × 𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 (4.16)
𝑦 2 𝐾𝑦 𝑎 𝑦 𝐵𝑀 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 ∗ ) 𝑦𝑎 𝑦𝐵𝑀 𝑦 2 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 ∗ )
𝐺/ 𝑦1 𝑑𝑦 ∗ 1−𝑦 ∗ −(1−𝑦)
where, 𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 𝐾 ∗ , 𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 𝑦 2 1−𝑦 (𝑦−𝑦 ∗ )
and 𝑦𝐵𝑀 = (1 − 𝑦)∗𝐵𝑀 = 1−𝑦 ∗ .
𝑦𝑎 𝑦 𝐵𝑀 𝑙𝑛
(1−𝑦 )

4.6. Design Equations based concentration in mole ratio unit

If kx, ky are individual gas phase mass transfer coefficients and KY is
overall gas phase mass transfer coefficient, height of packed tower is expressed
as:
/ / /
𝑌1 𝐺𝑠 𝑑𝑦 𝑌1 𝐺𝑠 𝑑𝑦 𝐺 𝑌1 𝑑𝑦
𝑕𝑇 = 𝑌2 𝑘 𝑦 𝑎 (𝑌−𝑌𝑖 )
= 𝑌2 𝐾𝑦 𝑎 (𝑌−𝑌 ∗ )
= 𝐾 𝑠𝑎 𝑌2 (𝑌−𝑌 ∗ )
= 𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 × 𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 (4.17)
𝑦
/
𝐺𝑠
𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 =
𝐾𝑦 𝑎
𝑌1
𝑑𝑦
𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 =
𝑌2 (𝑌 − 𝑌 ∗ )
/
𝐿𝑠
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = /
𝐺𝑠
Overall gas-phase mass transfer coefficient, KY is correlated with individual mass
transfer coefficients as follows:
1 1 ∝
= +
𝐾𝑌 𝑘𝑌 𝑘𝑥
Example Problem 4.1. Solute A is to be absorbed from a binary mixture

containing 7.5% of A with solvent B in a packed tower. Based on flooding
calculation, a tower diameter of 1.2 m is selected. Total gas flow rate is 60
kmol/h. The exit gas must not contain 0.2% of solute A. Solute free liquid B
enters from the top of the tower at 40 kmol/h. The gas phase and liquid phase
mass transfer coefficients based on mole ratio unit are: kX =2.05 kmol/m2h (ΔX)
and kY =1.75 kmol/m2h (ΔY). The equilibrium line Equation is Y=0.63X. Specific
interfacial area of gas-liquid contact (ā) is 71 m2/m3. (a) Calculate packing height
required for the desired separation. (b) For 99.5% solute A removal, what %
increase in packed height is needed? (c) Determine slopes of operating line in
each case.

Solution 4.1:
Gas flow rate, G1 =60 kmol/h; y1=0.075
𝜋
Area of tower cross-section= 4 (1.2)2 = 1.131 𝑚2
/
𝐺1 =53.05 kmol/m2.h
/
𝐺𝑠 =53.05(1-0.075) kmol/m2.h = 49.07 kmol/m2.h
0.075
𝑌 1 = 0.925 = 0.0811
Solute concentration in exit gas is 0.2%.

0.2
Therefore, 𝑌2 = 99.8 = 0.00204
Liquid flow rate, Ls=40 kmol/h

/ 40
𝐿𝑠 = 1.131 = 35.37 kmol/m2.h
X2=0
Overall mass balance Equation for the solute concentration in exit liquid as
follows:
/ /
𝐺𝑠 𝑌1 − 𝑌2 = 𝐿𝑠 𝑋1 − 𝑋2
49.07(0.011-0.00204) = 35.37(X1-0)
X1 = 0.1097
Overall gas-phase mass transfer coefficient, KY:
1 1 ∝
= +
𝐾𝑌 𝑘𝑌 𝑘𝑥
1 1 0.63
= +
𝐾𝑌 1.75 2.05
KY=1.138 kmol/m2h (ΔY)
/
𝐺 49.07
𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 𝐾 𝑠𝑎 = 1.138×71 = 0.607 𝑚 ,
𝑌
𝑌1
𝑑𝑌
𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 =
𝑌2 (𝑌 − 𝑌 ∗ )
Y* can be expressed in terms of Y.
The operating line Equation can be expressed as:
/ /
𝐺𝑠 𝑌 − 𝑌2 = 𝐿𝑠 𝑋 − 𝑋2
49.07(Y-0.00204) = 35.37(X-0)

X=1.387(Y-0.00204)
We have
Y* = αX = 0.63×1.387(Y-0.00204) = 0.874Y-0.00178
Therefore,
0.0811 𝑑𝑌 0.0811 𝑑𝑌
𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 0.00204 𝑌−(0.874𝑌−0.00178 )
= 0.00204 (0.126𝑌+0.00178 )
1 0.126×0.0811 +0.00178
𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 0.126 𝑙𝑛 =13.9
0.126×0.00204 +0.00178
(a) Packed height, hT=HtoG×NtoG=0.0607×13.9 m=8.46 m.
(b) For 99.5% solute removal, Y2=0.0811×0.0005=4.05×10-4.

/ /
𝐺𝑠 𝑌 − 𝑌2 = 𝐿𝑠 𝑋 − 𝑋2
49.07(Y-4.05×10-4) = 35.37(X-0)
X = (1.387Y – 5.62×10-4)
Hence,
Y* = αX = 0.63×(1.387Y – 5.62×10-4) = 0.874Y-0.000354
Therefore,
0.0811 𝑑𝑌 0.0811 𝑑𝑌
𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 4.05×10 −4 𝑌−(0.874𝑌−0.000354 )
= 4.05×10 −4 (0.126𝑌+0.000354 )
1 0.126×0.0811 +0.000354
𝑁𝑡𝑜𝐺 = 0.126 𝑙𝑛 =22
0.126×4.05×10 −4 +0.000354
Required packed height, hT=HtoG×NtoG=0.0607×22 m=13.35 m.

13.35 − 8.46
%𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑕𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 = × 100 = 58%
8.46
/
𝐿
(c) For both the cases slope of the operating will remain same as 𝑠/ .
𝐺𝑠
So,
/
𝐿𝑠 35.37
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = / = 49.07 = 0.721.
𝐺𝑠

LECTURE NO. 4
4.7. Counter-current multi-stage absorption (Tray absorber)

In tray absorption tower, multi-stage contact between gas and liquid takes
place. In each tray, the liquid is brought into intimate contact of gas and
equilibrium is reached thus making an ideal stage. In ideal stage, average
composition of liquid leaving the tray is in equilibrium with liquid leaving that tray.
The most important step in design of tray absorber is the determination of
number of trays. The schematic of tray tower is presented in figure 4.7. The liquid
enters from top of the column whereas gas is added from the bottom. The
efficiency of the stages can be calculated as:
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = (4.18)
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠

Gs, Y1 Gas out
Liquid in
Ls, X0
1 Gs,Y1
Ls, X1
2
N-1
Gs,YN
N
Ls, X1
Gas in
Gs, YN+1
Liquid out
Ls, XN
Figure 4.7: Schematic of tray tower.
The following parameters should be known for the determination of

“number of stages”
(1) Gas feed rate
(2) Concentration of gas at inlet and outlet of the tower
(3) Minimum liquid rate; actual liquid rate is 1.2 to 2 times the minimum liquid
rate.
(4) Equilibrium data for construction of equilibrium curve
Now, the number of theoretic stages can be obtained graphically or
algebraically.

(A) Graphical Method for the Determination of Number of Ideal Stages

Overall material balance on tray tower
Gs(YN+1 -Y1)=Ls(XN -X0) (4.19)
This is the operating line for tray tower.
If the stage (plate) is ideal, (Xn, Yn) must lie on the equilibrium line, Y*=f(X)
Top plate is located at P(X0, Y1) and bottom plate is marked as Q(XN,
YN+1) in X-Y plane. A vertical line is drawn from Q point to D point in equilibrium
line at (XN, YN). From point D in equilibrium line, a horizontal line is extended up
to operating line at E (XN-1, YN). The region QDE stands for N-th plate (refer
Figure 4.8). We may get fraction of plates. In that situation, the next whole
number will be the actual number of ideal plates. If the overall stage efficiency is
known, the number of real plates can be obtained from Equation (4.18).
3.5
3.0
Q (XN,YN+1)
2.5
2.0 E (XN-1,YN) N
Operating line D (XN,YN)
Y
1.5
N-1 Equilibrium line
1.0
N-2
0.5
P (X0,Y1)
0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
X
Figure 4.8: Graphical determination of number of ideal stages.
(B) Algebraic Determination of Number of Ideal Stages

If both operating line and equilibrium lines are straight, number of ideal
stages can be calculated algebraically.
Let solute transfers from gas to liquid (Absorption)
Equilibrium line, Y=αX

Point (XN, YN) lies on the equilibrium line: YN=αXN

(4.20)
Operating line:
𝐿
𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = 𝐺𝑠 𝑋𝑁 − 𝑋0 (4.21)
𝑠
𝐿 𝑌𝑁
𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = 𝐺𝑠 − 𝑋0
𝑠 ∝
𝐿
𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = 𝐺 𝑠∝ 𝑌𝑁 −∝ 𝑋0
𝑠
𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = 𝐴 𝑌𝑁 −∝ 𝑋0 (4.22)
𝐿 𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒
where 𝐴 = 𝐺 𝑠∝ = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒
Now Equation 4.22 becomes,

𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = (𝐴 𝑌𝑁 − 𝐴 ∝ 𝑋0 )
𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝐴 𝑌𝑁 = (𝑌1 − 𝐴 ∝ 𝑋0 ) (4.23)
This Equation is linear first order “difference Equation” (non-homogeneous).
Solution by finite difference method

Corresponding homogeneous Equation: 𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝐴 𝑌𝑁 = 0 (4.24)
Solution is 𝑌𝑁 = 𝐾1 𝑍 𝑛 (4.25)
𝐾1 𝑍 𝑁+1 − 𝐴𝐾1 𝑍 𝑁 = 0 (4.26)
𝑍=𝐴 (4.27)
Non-homogeneous Equation has a particular solution, which is constant.
Assuming YN=YN+1, we have, Y=K2
𝐾2 − 𝐴 𝐾2 = 𝑌1 −∝ 𝐴𝑋0
𝑌1 −∝𝐴 𝑋0
𝐾2 = (4.28)
1−𝐴
The complete solution is as follows:

𝑁 𝑁 𝑌1 −∝𝐴 𝑋0
𝑌𝑁 = K1 𝐴 + 𝐾2 = K1 𝐴 + (4.29)
1−𝐴
Initial conditions:
N=0; Y0=αX0
0
𝑌1 −∝ 𝐴𝑋0
𝛼𝑋0 = 𝐾1 𝐴 +
1−𝐴

𝛼𝑋0 −∝ 𝐴𝑋0 − 𝑌1 +∝ 𝐴𝑋0

𝐾1 =
1−𝐴
𝛼𝑋0 −𝑌1
𝐾1 = (4.30)
1−𝐴
𝛼 𝑋0 −𝑌1 𝑁 𝑌1 −∝𝐴 𝑋0
𝑌𝑁 = 𝐴 + (4.31)
1−𝐴 1−𝐴
When N=N+1;
𝛼𝑋0 − 𝑌1 𝑁+1
𝑌1 −∝ 𝐴𝑋0
𝑌𝑁+1 = 𝐴 +
1−𝐴 1−𝐴
𝑌1
𝛼𝑋0 − 𝑌1 𝐴
−∝ 𝑋0
𝑁
𝑌𝑁+1 = 1
𝐴 + 1
−1 −1
𝐴 𝐴
1 𝑌1
− 1 𝑌𝑁+1 = 𝛼𝑋0 − 𝑌1 𝐴 𝑁 + −∝ 𝑋0
𝐴 𝐴
1 𝑌1
𝛼𝑋0 − 𝑌1 𝐴 𝑁 = − 1 𝑌𝑁+1 − −∝ 𝑋0
𝐴 𝐴
1 𝑌1
−1 𝑌𝑁 +1 − −∝𝑋0 𝑌𝑁 +1 −∝𝑋0 1 1
𝑁 𝐴 𝐴
𝐴 = = 1−𝐴 +𝐴 (4.32)
𝛼 𝑋0 −𝑌1 𝑌1 −∝𝑋0
Taking logarithm in both the sides we get:

𝑌𝑁+1 −∝ 𝑋0 1 1
𝑁𝑙𝑛𝐴 = 𝑙𝑛 1− +
𝑌1 −∝ 𝑋0 𝐴 𝐴
𝑌 𝑁 +1 −∝𝑋 0 1 1
𝑙𝑛 1− +
𝑌 1 −∝𝑋 0 𝐴 𝐴
𝑁= when 𝐴 ≠ 1 (4.33)
𝑙𝑛 𝐴
When 𝐴 = 1, Equation (4.23) becomes

𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌𝑁 = (𝑌1 −∝ 𝑋0 ) Operating line Equation (4.34)
Put N=N, N-1, N-2, ………..3,2,1 and add to get
𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = 𝑁(𝑌1 −∝ 𝑋0 )
𝑌𝑁 +1 −𝑌1
𝑁= (4.35)
(𝑌1 −∝𝑋0 )

Let solute is transferred from liquid to gas (stripping).
𝑋 0 −𝑌 𝑁 +1 /∝
𝑙𝑛 1−𝐴 +𝐴
𝑋 𝑁 −𝑌 𝑁 +1 /∝
𝑁= 1 when 𝐴 ≠ 1 (4.36)
𝑙𝑛
𝐴
When 𝐴 = 1, Equation (4.23) becomes

𝑋0 −𝑋 𝑁
𝑁 = (𝑋 (4.37)
𝑁 −𝑌𝑁 +1 /∝)
These four Equations (4.33, 4.35-4.37) are called “Kremser Equations”.
Example Problem 4.2. It is desired to absorb 95% of acetone by water from a

mixture of acetone and nitrogen containing 1.5% of the component in a
countercurrent tray tower. Total gas input is 30 kmol/hr and water enters the
tower at a rate of 90 kmol/hr. The tower operates at 27ºC and 1 atm. The
equilibrium relation is Y=2.53X. Determine the number of ideal stages necessary
for the separation using (a) graphical method as well as (b) Kremser analysis
method.
Solution 4.2:
Basis: 1 hour
GN+1=30 kmol
yN+1=0.015
L0=90 kmol
Moles acetone in = 30×0.015 moles=0.45 moles
Moles nitrogen in = (30-0.45) moles=29.55 moles
Moles acetone leaving (95% absorbed) = 0.45×(1-0.95) moles=0.0225 moles
Gs=29.55 moles
Ls=90 moles
α=2.53 [as, Y=2.53X]

0.0225
𝑌1 = = 7.61 × 10−4
29.55
𝑌𝑁+1 = 0.015
Rewriting Equation (4.19) (operating line) as
𝐺𝑠 𝑌𝑁+1 − 𝑌1 = 𝐿𝑠 (𝑋𝑁 − 𝑋0 )
29.55 × 0.015 − 7.61 × 10−4 = 90(𝑋𝑁 − 0)
XN=4.68×10-3
(a) Solution by graphical method

Construction of operating line PQ:
P(X0, Y1)=P(0, 7.61×10-4)
Q(XN, YN+1)=Q(4.68×10-3, 0.015)
Construction of equilibrium line (Y=2.53X):

X 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005
Y 0 0.00253 0.00506 0.00759 0.01012 0.01265
From graphical construction (Figure 4.9), the number of triangles obtained is

more than 7. Hence number of ideal stages is 8.

Figure 4.9: Graphical construction for determination of number of stages
(b) Solution by Kremser analysis method

As Ā≠1, according to Kremser analysis method:
𝑌𝑁 +1 −∝𝑋0 1 1
ln⁡ 1−𝐴 +𝐴
𝑌1 −∝𝑋0
𝑁=
ln 𝐴
0.015−2.53×0 1 1
ln⁡ 1− +
7.61×10 −4 −2.53×0 1.204 1.204
𝑁=
ln 1.204
0.204 1
ln⁡ 20 + 1.204
1.204
𝑁=
0.1856
1.43966
𝑁= = 7.75
0.1856
Number of ideal stages is 8.

LECTURE NO. 5
4.8. Continuous contact equipment

The liquid and gas compositions in a packed tower changes continuously
throughout the height. The composition of solute from entry to exit of the packed
tower is represented by operating line and every point indicates some location in
the packed tower. On the other hand, in tray tower, few points (number of trays)
in the operating line represents the conditions in the trays.
Height Equivalent to Theoretical Plate (HETP)

For a specified separation job, in packed tower, the height of packing is to
be determined and in tray tower, numbers of ideal trays are determined. The ratio
between packing height to number of trays required for the same separation is
called height equivalent to theoretical plate (HETP).
𝑕𝑇 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝐻𝐸𝑇𝑃 = =
𝑁𝑇 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠
HETP varies with size and type of packing, flow rate of gas and liquid,
concentration of solute, physical and transport properties as well as equilibrium
relationship and uniformity of liquid and gas distribution. The concept of HETP is
presented in Figure 4.10.

3.5
yn-1 xn-2
3.0
A (xn,yn+1)
2.5
n-1
2.0 B (xn-1,yn) n
yn xn-1 Operating line C (xn,yn)
y
1.5
n-1 Equilibrium line
1.0
n n-2
0.5
yn+1 xn 0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
x
Figure 4.10: Model diagram of HETP.
𝐺 / 𝑦𝑛+1 − 𝑦𝑛 = 𝐿/ 𝑥𝑛 − 𝑥𝑛 −1 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 (4.38)

The mass transfer rate for h height can be expressed as
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 𝐾𝐺 𝑎𝑃. 𝑕(𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗ )𝑎𝑣 (4.39)
𝐺 / 𝑦𝑛+1 − 𝑦𝑛 = 𝐾𝐺 𝑎𝑃. 𝑕(𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗ )𝑎𝑣
𝐺 / 𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛
𝑕=𝐾 ∗)
(4.40)
𝐺 𝑎 𝑃(𝑦−𝑦 𝑎𝑣
where,
(𝑦 −𝑦 ∗ )𝐴 −(𝑦−𝑦 ∗ )𝐵 𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 − 𝑦 𝑛 −𝑦𝑛 −1
(𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗ )𝑎𝑣 = (𝑦 −𝑦 ∗ )𝐴 = 𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 (4.41)
𝑙𝑛 𝑙𝑛
(𝑦 −𝑦 ∗ )𝐵 𝑦 𝑛 −𝑦 𝑛 −1
as (y-y*)av is taken as log mean gas phase gas phase driving force from A to B
across nth tray.
It is observed from Figure 4.10 that:

(𝑦 𝑛 −𝑦 𝑛 −1 )
(𝑦 𝑛 −𝑦 𝑛 −1 ) (𝑥 𝑛 −𝑥 𝑛 −1 ) 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑚 𝑚 𝐺/
= (𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 ) = = 𝐿/
= (4.42)
(𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦𝑛 ) 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐿/
(𝑥 𝑛 −𝑥 𝑛 −1 )
𝐺/
𝑚 𝐺/ (𝑦 −𝑦𝑛 −1 ) 𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 − 𝑦 𝑛 −𝑦𝑛 −1
1− = 1 − (𝑦𝑛 = (4.43)
𝐿/ 𝑛 +1 −𝑦𝑛 ) (𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 )
From Equations (4.41- 4.43) we have,

𝑚 𝐺/ 𝑚 𝐺/
𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 1− / 𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦𝑛 −1
𝐿/
(𝑦 − 𝑦 ∗ )𝑎𝑣 = 𝐿/
𝐿
= 𝑚 𝐺/
(4.44)
𝑙𝑛 𝑙𝑛
𝑚 𝐺/ 𝐿/

From Equation (4.40) we can get the value of h as:

𝑚 𝐺/ 𝑚 𝐺/
𝐺 / 𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 𝐺 / 𝑙𝑛 𝑙𝑛
𝐿/ 𝐿/
𝑕= 𝑚 𝐺/
= 𝑚 𝐺/
= 𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 𝑚 𝐺/
(4.45)
𝑦 𝑛 +1 −𝑦 𝑛 −1 𝐾𝐺 𝑎 𝑃 −1 −1
𝐿/ 𝐿/ 𝐿/
𝐾𝐺 𝑎 𝑃 /
𝑚𝐺
𝑙𝑛
𝐿/
Hence, the same separation is achieved for h height in packed tower and
in the nth tray which is =HETP.
𝑚 𝐺/
𝑙𝑛 𝑙𝑛 𝑆
𝐿/
𝐻𝐸𝑇𝑃 = 𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 𝑚 𝐺/
= 𝐻𝑡𝑜𝐺 (4.46)
−1 𝑆 −1
𝐿/
where, HtoG is height of overall gas phase transfer unit. 𝑆 is stripping factor
𝑚 𝐺/ 1
= = 𝐴 and m is Henry’s law constant. HETP is used to characterize packing. A
𝐿/
good packing has small HETP.

LECTURE NO. 6
4.9. Absorption with chemical reaction

Operations in which one or more components of a gas phase are
absorbed into a liquid phase are common throughout the chemical process
industries and frequently serve to achieve desired reactions among components
in the two phases (Lee & Tsui, 1999). Such operations are often called reactive
absorption because of the combination of reaction and absorptive mass
transport. There are a number of cases in which a gas, on absorption, reacts
chemically with a component of the liquid phase. In such processes, the
conditions in gas phase are similar to those of an entirely physical absorption
process, but in the liquid phase, there is a liquid film followed by a reaction zone.
As an example, in the absorption of carbon dioxide by caustic soda, the carbon
dioxide reacts directly with the caustic soda. An advantage of absorption plus
reaction is the increase in the mass-transfer coefficient. This may be due to a
greater effective interfacial area. The process hydrodynamics can also be directly
involved via correlations for the hold-up, pressure drop, and mass transfer
coefficients, etc.

4.9.1. Absorption-Reaction Model

The fundamental relations governing simultaneous diffusion and chemical
reaction of a dissolved species have been reviewed by Danckwerts (1970). For
one-dimensional diffusion of a single species (A) with diffusivity independent of
concentration
 2 C A C A
DA   v A rA (4.47)
x 2 t
The reaction rate term r, is generally a function of solute concentration and
of one or more liquid reactant concentrations. If these reactant concentrations
vary appreciably, continuity equations for each reactant must be solved
simultaneously with Equation (4.47) to obtain the solute concentration profile. An
increase in the rate of absorption caused by reaction is a result of a
concentration drop in the bulk liquid phase.
 dC 
J A  k L (C A*  C A0 )   D A  A  (4.48)
 dx  x 0
As per film model, the concentration gradient at the interface becomes steeper
while the mass transfer coefficient kL remains unchanged.
4.9.2 Absorption accompanied by irreversible first-order reaction
The bulk concentration becomes zero when the absorption process is

accompanied by a fast irreversible first-order reaction. Then as per film theory
the following balance can be written:
 2C A
DA  k1C A (4.49)
x 2

The reaction rate term r = k1CA for an irreversible reaction. k1 is the rate constant.
The Equation (4.49) can be solved by incorporating boundary conditions:
C A  C A* at x  0 (4.50)
CA  0 at x   (4.51)
The absorption rate RA can be estimated from the concentration profile
 dC 
RA   DA  A  (4.52)
 dx  x0
By introducing the solution of Equations (4.49-4.51) one can get
M
RA  k L C A* (4.53)
tanh M
Where
k1 D A
M  (4.54)
k L2
This can be interpreted as ratio of diffusion time ( D A / k L2 ) to reaction time (1/k1).
When M  1 , then tanh M  1 and Equation (4.7) can be written as
R A  k L C A* M  C A* (k1 DA ) (4.55)
The Equation (4.55) indicates that the absorption rate is independent of the mass
transfer coefficient and therefore the hydrodynamic conditions prevailing at the
interface. The Equation (4.55) can be used to estimate the interfacial area (Si) in
gas-liquid reactor as

n A0U
Si  (4.56)
RA
where n A0 is the initial molar flow and U is the overall gas phase conversion.
Therefore the specific interfacial area (the interfacial area per unit volume of
liquid (VL) in the reactor) can be expressed as
n A0U
a (4.57)
VL C A* (k1 D A )
As per Danckwert’s surface renewal theory, the absorption rate can be derived
as
R A  k L C A* 1  M  C A* (k1 DA  k L2 ) (4.58)
The ratio of specific absorption rate (RA) to the k LC A* is called enhancement

factor of absorption from the diffusion regime. The Equation (4.58) also forms the
basis for the calculation of absorption rate referred to as the liquid volume (VL):
R A a  aC A* (k1 DA  k L2 ) (4.59)
Example Problem 4.3. In a batch catalytic reactor, chlorination with toluene is

carried out. It is found from the reaction that the film mass transfer coefficient (k L)
is 5  10-4 cm/s, the specific interfacial area is 3.6 cm-1. The liquid holdup (εL) of
the reactor was 0.74. The reaction is first order and the equilibrium constant (k 1)
of the reaction is 3.5 10-4 s-1. The overall gas phase conversion is 80%. The
initial molar concentration of the gas phase was 1.2  10-7 mol/cm3. Find out the
enhancement factor of the absorption and the rate of absorption for this reaction.
The diffusivity of the chlorine is 3.74  10-5 cm2/s.

Solution4.3:
The parameter M from Equation (4.54) is equal to
k1 DCl2 3.5  10 4  3.74  10 5
M    0.05239
k L2 (5  10 4 ) 2
Therefore the enhancement factor can be found from the Equation (4.58) as
R A /( k L C A* )  1  M  1.025
The chlorine concentration as a function of physical solubility can be calculated

from the relation:
0
CL kLa
  0.839
*
CL k L a  k L L
Therefore the absorption rate (RAa) can be calculated from the Equation (4.59)
as
0
R A a  aC A* (k1 DCl2  k L2 )  3.6  (C L / 0.839) (3.5  10 4  3.74  10 5  (5  10 4 ) 2 )
=2.64  10-10 mol/cm3s.

LECTURE NO. 7
4.9.3. Absorption accompanied by irreversible mth order

reactions:
According to film model when a gas component is subject to an mth or pseudo-
mth order reaction, the absorption rate is expressed by
1
 2  2
RA   D A k m C A*m1  (4.60)
 m 1 
By introducing M for the mth-order reaction, the absorption rate can be

expressed as:
R A  k L C A* M (4.61)
where
2 D A k m C A*m1
M  (4.62)
m 1 k L2
As an example, the oxygen takes part in a second-order reaction in the sulphite

oxidation system which is often used for comparing gas-liquid interfacial area in
various reactors. A more detailed information of mth order reactions can be found
from article published by Hikita and Asai (1964).

4.10.4. Absorption accompanied by irreversible second order

reactions:
The gas-liquid reactions are found in many chemical industries where a gas
component A reacts with a liquid component B as:
A  vB B  P (4.63)
The rate of absorption depends on the reaction range of absorption. In Table 4.1,
the various formulas for absorption rate at different reaction range are given
(Deckwer, 1992).
Table 4.1: Formula for calculating absorption rate during second-order-reaction
Absorption RA Application criteria

range
Slow reaction
1. Kinetic control k 2 c B  F c *A a k L  k 2 c B  F
2. Translation k L (c *A  c A ) k L a  k 2 cB F
3. Diffusion k L c *A k L2  k 2 c B DA ; M  1
control
Rapid reaction
(pseudo fast-order
reaction)
1. Transition c *A (k L2  DA k 2 c B )  c *A k L (1  M ) k L2  k 2 c B DA
2. Fast c *A k 2 c B DA  c *A k L M ( M )  3; ( M )  Ei
k G H  k L M
3.  DB c B0  ( M )  Ei
c *A k L 1    c *A k L Ei
* 
Instantaneous  vB DAc A  c B  c *A

Various situations at the interface during reactions:
Case (a): The liquid component B is not significantly broken at the interface if the
concentration of B is large in comparison with cA, then it reduces to a pseudo-
first-order reaction.
Case (b): When components A and B react so quickly that they cannot coexist at
the same location to any significant extent (‘instantaneous reaction’). The film
model gives for this case
C A*
RA  DA (4.64)
'
where  ' is the reaction plane at the condition vBjA = -jB in which the
concentration of both components is equal to zero. It is a function of the diffusion
rate of A and B and of the whole boundary thickness which can be expressed as:

 ' (4.65)
DB c B0
1
v B D A C A*
Substituting the Equation (4.65) in Equation (4.64), the absorption rate can be
written as:
D A C A*  DB c B0 
RA   1  (4.66)
  v B D AC A* 
which follows since kL = DA/δ:
 DB c B0 
R A  k L C A* 1  
* 
(4.67)
 v B DAC A 
The expression in brackets called the enhancement factor Ei due to

instantaneous reaction.
Ei  1  DB c B0 v B DAC A* (4.68)

From Equation (4.67), if M  k L Ei for v B DAC A*  DB c B0 then
RA  k L DB C B0 v B DA (4.69)
The absorption rate is entirely controlled by the diffusion of B and is independent

of C A* and partial pressure pA.
Case (c): If the concentration of B drops distinctly in comparison with the bulk
concentration, yet does not reach zero, the film model produces two coupled
differential equations which can be solved numerically. Van Krevelen and
Hoftijzer (1948) have provided an approximated solution as:
1
 Ei  E '  2
 M 
RA  Ei  1 
E (4.70)
k L c *A  E  E' 
1
2
tanh M i 
 Ei  1 
where
M  DA k 2 C B0 k L2 (4.71)
Ei is given by Equation (4.68). From the Equation (4.70) it is observed that for
various Ei, E increases for a given Ei with increasing M as long as E =Ei. Hence
the expression for Ei can be used for E, if M >10Ei and
 DB v B0 
( D A k 2 C B0 )  10k L 1  
* 
(4.72)
 vB DAC A 
On the other hand E is near the diagonal E  M and subsequent products are
1
based on a pseudo-first-order reaction if (M )  Ei
2
then

1  DB C B0 

( D A k 2 C )  k L 1 
0
 (4.73)
2  v B D A C A* 
B
The van Krevelen and Hoftijzer Equation (4.70) does not give an explicit value for
E (Deckwer, 1992). Wellek et al. (1978) provided further details and
recommended the following explicit equation for the calculation of E:
1 1 1
  (4.74)
( E  1) 1.35
( Ei  1) 1.35
( E1  1)1.35
where
M
E1  (4.75)
tanh M

LECTURE NO. 8
4.9.5. Absorption resistance
During absorption, when transport from the bulk of the gas phase to that of the
liquid phase, the possibility of the transport resistance arising on the gas side.
This is relatively infrequent occurrence in absorption process. But it can be found
under certain circumstances where fast and instantaneous reactions are
involved, especially when combined with low gas phase of the reactant.
The absorption rate for fast pseudo-fast-order reaction is

pA
RA  (4.76)
1 kG  H (kDA )
The relation for instantaneous reaction is

 D C0 
R A  k G ( p A  p Ai )  k L  C Ai  B B  (4.77)
 vB DA 
Using Henry’s law (pAi=HcAi), the interface concentration can be removed from
Equation (4.77) to give
p A  HDB C B0 v B D A
RA  (4.78)
H k L  1 kG
when the reaction is at the interface:
k G p A  k L C B0 DB v B DA (4.79)
If
k G p A  k L C B0 DB v B DA (4.80)

then transport resistance is mainly on the gas side and the absorption rate is
RA  kG p A (4.81)
Example Problem 4.4: In a reactor Carbon dioxide is absorbed in NaOH. The

CO2 partial pressure ranges from 2.5 bar at the reaction inlet and (0.025) at the
outlet. The liquid phase has a roughly constant composition of 0.96 M NaOH.
Find out the absorption rate at reactor inlet.
Data: kL = 0.025 cm/s, kG = 2.5×10-5 mol.cm-2s-1bar-1, H = 56.2 bar l mol-1, DCO2

1
= 1.6×10-5 cm2 s-1, DOH/DCO2 = 1.7, k2COH  7000 s , cOH  0.40 .
0 0
Solution 4.4:
Parameter M is calculated as an initial step
(7000)  1.6  10 5 )
0
k 2 cOH DCO2
M    13.39
k L2 (0.025)
The enhancement factor Ei is
0
cOH DOH 0.68
Ei  1  *
 1 *
cCO2 DCO2 cCO2
*
As cCO2
= p/H, it follows that
0.68  56.2 38.216

Ei  1   1
p p
Hence, Ei = 16.28 at the reactor inlet and Ei = 1528.64 at the outlet. E is

determined iteratively from the Wellek’s equation In the present problem its value
is 3.492. Hence, absorption rate at the reactor inlet is

R A  k L EC CO
*
2
 3.88  10 3 mol cm-2 s-1
Nomenclature
ā Specific interfacial contact Ls Liquid flow rate per unit area

area between gas and liquid, basis, (solute free basis)
m2/m3 mol/h.m2
Ā, An Absorption factor M Parameter defined in Equation
(4.77)
G/ Gas flow rate per unit area NtG Number of gas phase transfer
basis, mol/h.m2 units
Gs Gas flow rate per unit area 𝑆 Stripping factor
basis,(solute free basis)
mol/h.m2
hT Packing height, m U Overall gas phase conversion
HtG / Moles of Nth component in the
Height if transfer units, m 𝑋𝑁
liquid stream per mole of solvent
entering the absorber
KY Overall gas phase mass x, y Mole fraction of solute in liquid
transfer coefficient, kmol/m2h and gas
(ΔX)
kx, ky Individual gas phase mass X, Y Mole ratio of solute in liquid and
transfer coefficients, gas
kmol/m2h (ΔX)
KG / Moles of Nth component in the
Overall gas phase mass 𝑌𝑁
transfer coefficient, kmol/m2h gas stream leaving any plate
(Δp)
L/ Liquid flow rate per unit area
basis, mol/h.m2

Reference
1. H. Hikita and S. Asai, Kagaku Kogaku 27 (1963), p. 823.
2. D.W. Van Krevelen and P.J. Hoftijzer, Rec. Trav. Chim. 67 (1948), p. 563.
3. R. M Wellek, R. J. Brunson and F. H. Law, Canadian Journal of Chemical
Engineering, 56 (1978), p. 181
4. W.-D. Deckwer, Bubble Column Reactors. , Wiley, Chichester (1992).
5. P. V. Danckwerts, Gas-liquid reactions, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York
(1970).

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NPTEL – Chemical – Mass Transfer Operation 1

Gas absorption: It is a mass transfer operation in which one or more gas

4.1. Equilibrium solubility of gases in liquids

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4.2. Selection of solvent for absorption and stripping

If the objective of absorption is separation of a particular component from

Few criteria for the selection of an absorbent are as follows:

(A) Gas Solubility: High solubility of a gas in the solvent is preferred,

Steam is generally used in desorption or stripping medium as

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4.3. Design of single stage counter-current flow absorption

Steps for the design of packed tower

(A) Selection of solvent

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Packing materials are utilized to provide large interfacial area of contact

The packing materials have following characteristics:

(b) Surface area: A large interfacial area of contact is always recommended. In

(e) Mechanical strength: Good mechanical strength is desired for choosing

(A) Dumped or random packing materials: Dumped or random packing

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(b) Nutter ring

(e) Koch Flexisaddle (f) Nor-Pac (g) Hiflow ring

Figure 4.3: Third generation dumped or random packing materials.

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Design of packed tower

Design of packed tower may be

Figure 4.5: Cross sectional view of packed tower.

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Putting the value of –dG/ in Equation 4.3, we have,

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Figure 4.6: Graphical determination of (Ls)min for absorption.

In Figure 4.6, lower terminal of absorption tower is represented by Q (X2,

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4.4. Design of packed tower based on overall mass transfer

where, y* is solute concentration in gas phase that is capable of remaining in

Graphical integration of right hand side of Equation (4.11):

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5.5. Design based on height of a transfer unit (HTU)

quantity is called ‘height if transfer units’ (HTU) and designated as HtG. It is

hT= HtG ×NtG

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4.6. Design Equations based concentration in mole ratio unit

Example Problem 4.1. Solute A is to be absorbed from a binary mixture

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Solute concentration in exit gas is 0.2%.

Liquid flow rate, Ls=40 kmol/h

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(a) Packed height, hT=HtoG×NtoG=0.0607×13.9 m=8.46 m.

(b) For 99.5% solute removal, Y2=0.0811×0.0005=4.05×10-4.

Required packed height, hT=HtoG×NtoG=0.0607×22 m=13.35 m.

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4.7. Counter-current multi-stage absorption (Tray absorber)

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Gs, Y1 Gas out

Figure 4.7: Schematic of tray tower.

The following parameters should be known for the determination of

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(A) Graphical Method for the Determination of Number of Ideal Stages

Figure 4.8: Graphical determination of number of ideal stages.

(B) Algebraic Determination of Number of Ideal Stages

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Point (XN, YN) lies on the equilibrium line: YN=αXN

Now Equation 4.22 becomes,