Chapter 2 Absorption

Chapter 2 Gas Absorption
1
Asst. Prof. Dr. Parinya Khongprom
Department of Chemical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University
Contents
2
1 Introduction
2 Pressure drop and limiting flow rate
3 Principles of absorption
LOGO
Introduction
3
 Gas Absorption: A soluble vapor is absorbed from its
mixture with an inert gas by means of a liquid (G  L)
Removal of CO2 or H2S from natural gas or synthesis
gas by absorption in solutions of amines or alkaline
salts.
Washing of ammonia from a mixture of ammonia and
air by means of liquid water.
 Stripping or Desorption: A solute is removed from a liquid
by bringing the liquid into contact with an inert gas, the
reverse of gas absorption (L  G)
Introduction
4
 Mode of operation (Figure 2.1)
Counter flow: Gas and liquid flow in the different
direction.
Co-current flow (parallel flow): Gas and liquid flow in the
same direction.
parallel flow
counter flow
co-current flow
(a) (b)
Figure 2.1 Mode of operation (a) counter flow, (b) co-current flow.
Introduction
5
Packed Tower Components:

- Cylindrical column, or tower
- Gas inlet and distributing space
- Liquid inlet
- Liquid distributor (Perforated pipe, spray nozzles,
distributor plate with overflow weirs)
- Gas outlet
- Liquid outlet
- Tower packing; a supported mass of inert solid shapes
- Increasing contact area
- Encouraging intimate contact between phases
Introduction
6 (dilute or lean gas)
(weak liquor)
(rich gas)
(strong liquor)
Figure 2.2 Packed tower
Introduction
7
Operation:
1. Weak liquor (pure solvent or a dilute solution of solute in
solvent) is fed to the tower and is distributed over the top
of the packing by the distributor.
2. Rich gas (solute-containing gas) enters the distributing
space below the packing and flows upward through the
packing.
3. Gas and liquid are in contact in packed section. The
solute in the rich gas is absorbed by the fresh liquid.
Introduction
8
Operation:
4. Dilute or lean gas leaves the top of the tower through
the gas outlet.
5. Strong liquor (concentrated liquid) leaves the bottom of
the tower through the liquid outlet.
Introduction
9
Packing
- Increasing contact area
- Encouraging intimate
contact between phases
Figure 2.3 Packed bed section

Introduction
10
Three types of Tower packings:

 Dumped packing or random packing
 Packing size 6 – 75 mm
 Stacked by hand or stacked packing
 Packing size 50 – 200 mm
 Structured packing or ordered packing
(a) (b)
Figure 2.4 Ceramic random packing (a) metal random packing (b)
Introduction
11
Raschig rings Metal Pall ring plastic Pall ring
Berl saddle ceramic Intalox Plastic Super metal Intalox

saddle Intalox saddle saddle
Figure 2.5 Common type of dumping packings
Introduction
12 Table 2.1 Characteristics of dumped tower packings
Remark:
*Bulk density and total area are
given per unit volume of
column.
**Fp is a pressure drop
pressure.
**fp is a relative mass-transfer
LOGO
coefficient.
Introduction
13
Figure 2.6 Structure packings

Contacting between liquid and gas
14
Ideally,
The liquid, once distributed over the top of the
packing, flows in thin film over all the packing
surface all the way down the tower.
Figure 2.7 Contacting between

liquid and gas on the packing surface
15
Actually,
The films tend to grow thicker in some places and
thinner in others, so that the liquid collects into
small rivulets and flows along localized paths
through the packing.
Low liquid flow
rate
Channeling
16
Channeling
The main reason for the poor performance of large
packing tower.
Severe in towers filled with stacked packing.
Less severe in dumped packing.
17
Prevention of channeling
For moderate size tower, channeling can be
minimized by having the diameter of the tower at
least 8 times the packing diameter.
For large towers, the initial distribution is especially
important and it is necessary to include
redistributors for the liquid every 5 to 10 m in the
tower.
Pressure drop and limiting flow rates
18
Definition
P = Pressure drop per unit packing dept.
G = flow rate = mass flux = mass per hour per unit of
cross-sectional area, based on the empty tower.
Gy = gas flow rate
Gx = liquid flow rate
G y  uo  y (2.1)
where u0 = superficial gas velocity
y = density of the gas
19
Figure 2.8 Pressure drop in a packed tower for air-water system

with1-in. Intalox saddles.
20
 Pressure drop in a packed tower for air-water system
with1-in. Intalox saddles (Figure 2.8)
 For dry condition, the straight line with the slope
of about 1.8 was obtained.
 Pflow of Liq. > PDry
 At low Gy: P shows a line parallel to dry
packing.
 At high Gy: P become steeper
(Liq. holdup  with Gy)
21
 “Loading point” = the point at which the liquid
holdup starts to increase.
 judged by a change in the slope of the pressure
drop line.
 Further increase in gas velocity, the pressure
drop rises even more rapidly, and the lines
becomes almost vertical = “Flooding point”
(P2-3 in. H2O/ ft.).
22
Effect of operating gas velocity

High gas velocity (flooding approach)
Most of packing surface is wetted (Max.
contact area).
Low gas velocity
Require much large column.
23
“Operating gas velocity should far enough from the

flooding velocity but not so low”
The gas velocity is sometimes chosen as one-half the

predicted flooding velocity
vg = 0.5 vflooding (2.2)

24
 Flooding velocity depends on

- Packing type
- Packing size
- Liq. mass velocity
Remark: Gx and packing size become more pronounced
at high Gx.
 Figure 2.9 shows the flooding velocities in ceramic Intalox
saddles, air-water system.
 Figure 2.10 shows the generalized correlation for pressure
drop in dumped packed columns.
 Figure 2.11 shows an alternate generalized pressure drop
correlation.
25
Flooding was assumed to occur at
P = 2.0 in. H2O/ft. of packing
Figure 2.9 Flooding2 velocities in ceramic

2
Intalox saddles, air-water
system. (1,000 lb/ft .h = 1.356 kg/m .s)
26

Gx and G y lbm / ft 2  s 
 x cP 
 x and  y lbm / ft 3 
Figure 2.10 Generalized correlation for pressure drop in dumped

packed columns. (1 in. H2O/ft = 817 Pa/m)
27 Cs = capacity factor
Cs  u0  y /  x   y 
where u0 = the superficial velocity
(ft/s)
 = the kinematic viscosity of the
liquid (centistokes)
Figure 2.11 Alternate generalized pressure drop correlation. (1 in.

H2O/ft = 817 Pa/m)
28
 An empirical equation for the limiting pressure

Pflood  0.115 Fp0.7 (2.3)
where Pflood = pressure drop at flooding (in.H2O/ft of

packing)
Fp = packing factor (dimensionless)
Remark: - Eq. (2.3) can be used for Fp from 10 – 60.
- For higher Fp, the pressure drop at flooding
can be taken as 2.0 in. H2O/ft.
29
Example 2.1: A tower packed with 1-in. (25.4-mm) ceramic

Intalox saddles is to be built to treat 25,000 ft3 (708 m3) of
entering gas per hour. The ammonia content of the entering
gas is 2% by volume. Ammonia-free water is used as
absorbent. The temperature of the entering gas and the
water is 68F (20C), and the pressure is 1 atm. The ratio of
liquid flow to gas flow is 1.25 lb liquid per pound of gas.
30
(a) If the design pressure drop is 0.5 in. H2O per foot of
packing, what should be the mass velocity of the gas and
the diameter of the tower?
(b) Estimate the ratio of the gas velocity to the flooding
velocity using a generalized correlation and also using
specific data for Intalox saddles.
31
Solution
(a) Data:
Packing: 1-in. ceramic Intalox saddles.
Gas volumetric flow rate: 25,000 ft3/hr
Inlet gas composition: 2% by volume of NH3
Absorbent: Ammonia-free water
Inlet temperature of gas and water: 68 F (20 C)
Inlet pressure: 1 atm
Liquid to gas mass flow ratio: 1.25
Designed pressure drop: 0.5 in. H2O
32
- Calculate the average molecular weight of the entering gas

MWav = (29x0.98) + (17x0.02) = 28.76 g/mol
- Calculate gas density
At STP. (volume of ideal gas 1 mole is 22.4 L)
28.7 𝑔 0.0022 𝑙𝑏 1𝐿 492
𝜌𝑦 =
22.4 𝐿 1𝑔 0.0353147 𝑓𝑡 3 460 + 68
- Calculate liquid density (From Appendix)
x = 62.3 lb/ft3
- Calculate the x-axis value of Fig. 2.11
0.5 0.5
𝐺𝑥 𝜌𝑦 0.07465
= 1.25 = 0.0433
𝐺𝑦 𝜌𝑥 62.3
33
From Fig. 2.11, for P = 0.5,

𝐶𝑠 𝐹𝑝0.5 0.05 = 1.38
From Table 2.1, for 1-in. ceramic Intalox saddles
Fp = 92
At 20 C,  = 1.0 cSt.
1.38
𝐶𝑆 = 0.5 0.05 = 0.144
92 1.0
By definition of CS
0.5 0.5
𝜌𝑥 − 𝜌𝑦 62.3 − 0.07465
𝑢0 = 𝐶𝑆 = 0.144
𝜌𝑦 0.07465
= 4.16 𝑓𝑡/𝑠
34
By definition of Gy
𝑓𝑡 𝑙𝑏 𝑠
𝐺𝑦 = 𝑢0 𝜌𝑦 = 4.16 0.07465 3 3,600
𝑠 𝑓𝑡 ℎ
= 1,120 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2 ℎ
Thus,
𝐺𝑥 = 1.25𝐺𝑦 = 1,400 𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 2 ℎ Ans
However, Fig. 2.11 is generalized for all packing types. Thus,

the rechecking of Gy by using Fig. 2.8 is required.
35
Calculate of Gy using the data for 1-in. Intalox saddles in Fig.

2.8, (Interpolation between the curves for dry packing and Gx
= 3,000 lb/ft2.h) gives
𝑙𝑏
𝐺𝑦  1,000 2 . ℎ
𝑓𝑡
(This value is used for the design)

Calculate mass flow rate of gas
Total gas mass flow rate = (25,000) x (0.0746) = 1,865 lb/h
36
Calculate cross-sectional area of the tower

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 1,865
S= = = 1.865 𝑓𝑡 2
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 1,000
Calculate diameter of the tower

4𝑥1.865 0.5
D= = 1.54 𝑓𝑡
1,000
37
(b) Estimate the ratio of the gas velocity to the flooding

velocity using a generalized correlation and also using specific
data for Intalox saddles.
- Based on Fig. 2.11
Find pressure drop at flooding
Pflooding = 2.0 in. H2O/ft
Find the ordinate at the flooding pressure drop
x-axis: 0.0433, Pflooding = 2.0 in. H2O/ft
Thus, the ordinate = 1.95 (Using extrapolation)
38
Estimate the gas velocity ratio

𝐺𝑦,𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 1.38
 = = 0.71
𝐺𝑦,𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 1.95
- Based on Fig. 2.9

Find the flooding velocity of gas
At Gx = 1,400 lb/ft2.h
Thus,
Gy = 1,650 lb/ft2.h
Calculate the gas velocity ratio
𝐺𝑦,𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 1,000
= = 0.61
𝐺𝑦,𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 1,650
39
Flooding velocities in structured packings
Figure 2.12 Flooding velocities in structured packings.

40
Example 2.2 Substitute Gempak 230 A2T packing,

manufactured by Glitsch, for the 1-in. Intalox saddles in the
tower of Example 2.1. What increase in gas mass velocity is
expected?
Solution
Calculate flooding velocity using Fig 2.12
𝐺𝑥 𝜌𝑦 0.5 0.07465 0.5
= 1.25 = 0.0433
𝐺𝑦 𝜌𝑥 62.3
Thus,
𝜌𝑦
𝑢0,𝑓 ( ) = 0.11
𝜌𝑥 −𝜌𝑦
41
Therefore,
62.3−0.07
𝑢0,𝑓 = 0.11 = 3.175 m/s
0.07465
The allowable vapor velocity, at 60 percent of flooding

u0 = 3.175 x 0.6 = 1.905 m/s (6.25 ft/s)
The corresponding mass velocity
G = 6.25 x 0.07465 x 3,600 = 1,680 lb/ft2.h
The increase in gas mass velocity is
(1,680/1,000) – 1 = 0.68 (or 68 percent)
Principles of Absorption
42
Material balance of a counter-current
absorption tower
Based on terminal streams
Overall mass balance
La + Vb = Lb + Va (2.4)
Component A balance
Laxa+ Vbyb = Lbxb+ Vaya (2.5)
Figure 2.13 Material balance in a counter current absorption tower

43
Material balance for the portion of the column

La  V  L  Va (2.6)
Component A balance
La xa  Vy  Lx  Va ya (2.7)
Rearrange Eq. (2.7) gives
L
y  x
Va ya  La xa (2.8)
V V
Eq. (2.8) is called “Operating line”

44 Counter Flow
Material balance for the portion of the column
La  V  L  Va
Material balance of component A
La xa  Vy  Lx  Va ya
Operating line
L V y  La xa
y x a a
V V
slope
Material balance based on the terminal streams
Figure 2.13 Flooding velocities in structured packings.

45
- Calculate the average molecular weight of the entering gas

MWav = (29x0.98) + (17x0.02) = 28.76 g/mol
- Calculate gas density
At STP. (volume of ideal gas 1 mole is 22.4 L)
𝑦 =
- Calculate liquid density (From Appendix)
x = 62.3 lb/ft3
- Calculate Gy by using Fig. 2.4
46 L V y  La xa
y x a a
V V
- The operating line must lie above the equilibrium line.

- The driving force for gas absorption is (y – y*)
- During the absorption
Total gas flow rate (V) decreases along the column
Total liquid flow rate (L) increases along the column
(L/V) = Increases
- For dilute mixture (< 10% of soluble gas)
The effect of changes in total flow is usually ignored.
(L/V) = Constant *******Design assumption*****
47 Limiting gas-liquid ratio
Assume that the gas rate (V) and the terminal concentrations(xa, ya, and yb) are held constant and
the liquid flow (L) decreased.
The upper end of the operating line then shifts in the direction of the equilibrium line, and xb increases.
The max. possible xb and the min. possible L are obtained when the operating line just touches the
equilibrium line (ab’)  “Limiting gas-liquid ratio”
(An infinitely deep packed section is required)

48
How L/V impacts on the economic of absorption
Increasing L/V  increasing of the driving force of the mass

transfer (y – y*)  Short absorption column is needed
(Low fixed cost of equipment)
Increasing L/V  Large amount of liquid (L) is desired  Dilute

liquid product  Difficult to recover (Desorption/Stripping)
(High energy cost for operation)
Optimum liquid rate  Balancing of the operating costs for both

units against the fixed cost of equipment
(In general, Labsorber  1.1–1.5 Lmin.)
49
Example 2.3 Ammonia is to be absorbed from an air mixture at 293 K
and 1.013 x 105 Pa pressure in a counter current packed tower, using
water at 293 K as the absorbent. An inlet gas rate of 1.21 x 10-2 m3/s and
an ammonia-free water rate of 9.46 x 10-3 kg/s will be used. If the
ammonia concentration is reduced from 3.52 to 1.29% by volume,
determine the ratio of (L/V)actual and (L/V)min. Equilibrium data for the
system at 293 K and 1.013 x 105 Pa are as follows:
kg mol NH 3
X 0.0164 0.0252 0.0349 0.0455 0.0722
kg mol H 2O
kg mol NH 3
Y 0.021 0.032 0.042 0.053 0.08
kg mol Air
50
Water flow = 9.46 x 10-3 kg/s ya = 0.0129

xa = 0, T = 293 K
GL
Gas flow = 1.21 x 10-2 m3/s

yb = 0.0352, P = 1.013 x 105 Pa, T = 293 K
51
(a) determine the ratio of (L/V)actual
Total of gas entering tower
Total of liquid entering tower 𝑉=
Thus,
52
(b) determine the ratio of (L/V)min
53
XA1 = 0.0215
YA2 = 0.0365
 Ls  y
  
 Gs  min x
 0.0365  0.0131 
 
 0.0215 
 0.79
XA2 = 0
YA2 = 0.0131 ANS
UNIT OPERATIONS II
Gas Absorption (Part 3)

Department of Chemical Engineering,
Rate of Absorption
55 Mass transfer in absorption process
Concentration gradient near a gas-liquid interface Location of interface compositions
x*A
Bulk gas gas film liq. bulk liq.

film
y, x = bulk compositions in gas and liq. phases, respectively

y* = vapor composition that would be eq. with bulk liq. Composition, x
x* = liq. Composition that would be eq. with bulk gas composition, y
yi, xi = interface compositions in gas and liq. Phases, respectively
Rate of Absorption
56
 Rate of absorption
r  k y a ( y  yi )
Bulk gas gas film liq. bulk liq. r  k x a ( xi  x)
film
r  K y a ( y  y*)
r  K x a( x *  x)
where
r = rate of absorption (mol/(volume.time))
ky, kx = individual mass transfer coefficients based on gas and liq. films, respectively
Ky, Kx = overall mass transfer coefficients based on gas and liq. Composition, respectively
y* = vapor composition that would be eq. with bulk liq. Composition, x
x* = liq. Composition that would be eq. with bulk gas composition, y
yi, xi = interface compositions in gas and liq. Phases, respectively
a = interfacial area per unit volume of the packed column
Rate of Absorption
57
The interface composition (yi, xi)
Using the rate of absorption based on individual
coefficients
𝑦 − 𝑦𝑖 𝑘𝑥 𝑎
=
𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥 𝑘𝑦 𝑎
Drawning a line from the operating line at (x,y)

with a slope –kxa/kya will intersect the
equilibrium line at (xi,yi)
Remark: It is not necessary to know the

interface compositions, but these values are
used for calculation involving rich gases or
when the equilibrium line is strongly curved.
Rate of Absorption
58 The overall mass transfer coefficient
1 1 m
 
K ya k ya kxa
Homework
1 1 1
 
K x a k x a mk y a
where m = local slope of the equilibrium curve
( y *  yi )
m
( x  xi )
Remark: * 1/kya and m/(kxa) = the resistance to mass transfer in the gas film and the liquid film,
respectively.
* when kya and kxa are of the same order of magnitude, and m is much greater than 1.0
(High Henry’s law constant gas)
 the liquid film resistance is controlling, meaning
- Change in kxa has an effect on both Kya and Kxa and on the rate of absorption
- Change in kya has little effect
Calculation of Tower Height
59 Design based on the gas-film resistance, Kya
S = Cross section
SdZ = Differential volume in height dZ
-Vdy = the amount absorbed in the section dZ
Material balance
The amount of absorbed = (the absorption rate)X(the differential volume)
-Vdy = Kya(y – y*)SdZ
Rearranged and took the integration
𝑦𝑏
𝐾𝑦 𝑎𝑆 𝐾𝑦 𝑎𝑆𝑍𝑇 𝑑𝑦
න 𝑑𝑍 = = න
Or 𝑉 𝑉 𝑦−𝑦∗
𝑦𝑎
𝑦𝑏
𝑉/𝑆 𝑑𝑦
𝑍𝑇 = න
𝐾𝑦 𝑎 𝑦−𝑦∗
𝑦𝑎
60 Number of Transfer Unit
Total column height
𝑦𝑏
𝑉/𝑆 𝑑𝑦
𝑍𝑇 = න
𝐾𝑦 𝑎 𝑦−𝑦∗
𝑦𝑎
𝑦𝑏
𝑑𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
න =
𝑦−𝑦∗ 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑦𝑎
= 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 (𝑁𝑇𝑈)
NOy = The number of transfer unit based on the overall

driving force for the gas phase
𝑉/𝑆
 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 (𝐻𝑇𝑈)
𝐾𝑦 𝑎
HOy = The height of transfer unit based on the overall
driving force for the gas phase
61
Number of Transfer Unit
Total column height can be written in the form
𝑍𝑇 = 𝐻𝑂𝑦 𝑁𝑂𝑦
***In case of the operating line and the equilibrium line are
straight and parallel,
yb - ya y – y* 𝑦𝑏 − 𝑦𝑎
𝑁𝑂𝑦 =
𝑦 − 𝑦∗
Remark: NTU = NTP (Number of theoretical plates)
62 Number of Transfer Unit
***In case of the operating line is straight but steeper than
the equilibrium line,
𝑦𝑏 −𝑦𝑎 𝑥𝑏 −𝑥𝑎
𝑁𝑂𝑦 = 𝑁𝑂𝑥 =
∆𝑦𝐿 ∆𝑥𝐿
Based on gas phase Based on liquid phase
where ∆𝑦𝐿 = logarithmic mean of (yb – y*b) and (ya – y*a)
𝑦𝑏 −𝑦𝑏∗ −(𝑦𝑎 −𝑦𝑎∗ )
∆𝑦𝐿 = 𝑦𝑏 −𝑦∗𝑏
ln[ ]
𝑦𝑎 −𝑦∗𝑎
Remark: **NTU > NTP

**The number of NOx is not the same as NOy,
unless the operating and the equilibrium lines are straight
and parallel.
63
 Calculation of tower height
(HTU) (NTU) ZT
dy
Gas film: Hy 
V /S Ny   HyNy
kya y  yi
L/S dx
Liquid film: Hx  Nx   HxNx
kxa xi  x
dy
Overall gas: H Oy 
V /S N Oy   H oy N oy
K ya y  y*
dx
Overall liquid: H Ox  L / S N Ox  H ox N ox
K xa x * x
S = Cross-sectional Area
64
 Calculation of NTU (Numerical method)
(NTU) Logarithmic mean
dy y A1  y A2 ( y A1  y A1i )  ( y A2  y A 2i )
Gas film: Ny    yiL 
y  yi yiL ln ( y A1  y A1i ) /( y A2  y A 2i )
dx x x ( x A1i  x A1 )  ( x A 2i  x A 2 )
Liquid film: Nx    A1 A2 xiL 
xi  x xiL ln ( x A1i  x A1 ) /( x A 2i  x A 2 )
dy y  y A2 ( y A1  y *A1 )  ( y A2  y *A2 )
  A1 y 
Overall gas:
 
*
N Oy
y  y* yL*
L
ln ( y A1  y *A1 ) /( y A2  y *A2 )
dx x x ( x*A1  x A1 )  ( x*A2  x A2 )
Overall liquid: N Ox   A1 A2 x 
 
*
x * x xL*
L
ln ( x*A1  x A1 ) /( x*A2  x A2 )
Remark: subscript A1 = b
subscript A2 = a
65
Example 2.4 A gas stream containing 3.0 percent A is passed through a packed
column to remove 99 percent of A by absorption in water. The absorber will
operate at 25C and 1 atm, and the gas and liquid rates are to be 20 mol/h.ft2 and
100 mol/h.ft2, respectively. The A-free water was fed to the column. Mass transfer
coefficients and equilibrium data are given below:
y* = 3.1x
kxa = 60 mol/h.ft3. unit mol fraction
kya = 15 mol/h.ft3. unit mol fraction
(a) Find NOy, HOy, and ZT, assuming isothermal operation and neglecting changes in
gas and liquid flow rates. What percent of the total resistance in the gas phase?
(b) Calculate ZT, using NOx and HOx
66
Solution
Gas flow rate: V/S = 20 mol/h.ft2
Liquid flow rate: L/S = 100 mol/h.ft2
At position a: xa = 0 ya = (0.01)(0.03) = 0.0003
20𝑥0.03𝑥0.99
At position b: xb = =0.00594 yb = 0.03
100
(a) Calculate NOy
𝑦𝑏 𝑑𝑦 𝑦𝑏 −𝑦𝑎 𝑦𝑏 −𝑦𝑏∗ −(𝑦𝑎 −𝑦𝑎∗ )
NOy = =
‫𝑦 𝑦׬‬−𝑦∗ ∆𝑦 where ∆𝑦𝐿 = 𝑦𝑏 −𝑦∗𝑏
𝑎 𝐿 ln[ ]
𝑦𝑎 −𝑦∗𝑎
- Find y*a using xa; y*a = 3.1(xa) = 3.1(0) = 0

- Find y*b using xb; y*b = 3.1(xb) = 3.1(0.00594) = 0.01841
67
Solution
(a) Calculate NOy
Thus, yb – y*b = 0.03 – 0.01841 = 0.01159
ya – y*a = 0.0003 – 0 = 0.0003
𝑦𝑏 −𝑦𝑏∗ −(𝑦𝑎 −𝑦𝑎∗ ) 0.01159−0.0003
Then, ∆𝑦𝐿 = 𝑦 −𝑦∗
= 0.01159
ln( 0.0003 )
= 0.00309
ln[𝑦𝑏 −𝑦𝑏
∗]
𝑎 𝑎
NOy = 𝑦𝑏∆𝑦−𝑦𝑎 = 0.03−0.0003

0.00309
= 9.61
𝐿
Calculate HOy
𝑉/𝑆
𝐻𝑂𝑦 = 𝐾
𝑦𝑎
Find Kya
1 1 𝑚 1 3.1
𝐾𝑦 𝑎
=
𝑘𝑦 𝑎
+
𝑘𝑥 𝑎
=
15
+
60
= 0.11833 Thus, Kya = 8.45
68
Solution
(a) Then, 𝐻𝑂𝑦 = 𝐾𝑉/𝑆𝑦𝑎
=
20
8.45
= 2.37 𝑓𝑡.
Calculate ZT
ZT = (HTU)(NTU) =HOyNOy = 2.37x9.61 = 22.7 ft.
Find the percent of gas phase resistance
𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
The relative gas-film resistance = 𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
1/𝑘𝑦 𝑎 1/15
=
1/𝐾𝑦 𝑎
=
1/8.45
= 0.56, or 56 percent
(b) Homework
UNIT OPERATIONS II

Effect of Pressure
70  Often operated under pressure to give increased
capacity and higher rates of mass transfer.
 Higher pressure increases the mole fraction driving
force.
 Increases the mole fraction driving force.
 Reduces the number of transfer units.
 Smaller the minimum liquid rate and richer product.
 Kya increases with Pressure because

the liquid-film resistance (m/kxa)
decreases.
 kya does not change much with
pressure.
Effect of pressure on absorption

Temperature variations in the packed towers
71
 When rich gas is fed to an absorption
tower, the temperature in the tower varies
from bottom to top.
 Heat of absorption of the solute  Raises the
solution temperature.
 Heat of evaporation  Lower the
temperature.
***Usually the overall effect is an increase in

the liquid temperature***
72
 The Shape of the temperature profile depends on
 The rate of solute absorption
 The rate of evaporation
 The rate of condensation of solvent
 Heat transfer between the phases
Temperature profiles and equilibrium lines for adiabatic absorption

73
 When Tg,inlet close to Tliq, out, and the incoming gas is saturated
 Little solvent evaporation
 The raise in liquid temperature is roughly proportional to the amount of
solute absorbed.
 The equilibrium line is curved upward.
No solvent evaporation
High absorption  High Temp.

74
 When Tg,inlet < Tliq, out  10 – 20 C and solvent is volatile
 Evaporation will cool the liquid in the bottom part of the column.
 The temperature profile may have a maximum.
***When the feed gas is saturated, the temp. peak is not pronounced, either
the exit temp. or the max. temp. can be used to cal. Equilibrium values of the
lower part of the column******
Significant solvent evaporation or cold gas feed
High absorption  High Temp.

High evaporation  Low Temp.

75
Example 2.5 A gas stream with 6.0 percent NH3 (dry air basis) and a flow rate of
4,500 SCFM (ft3/min. at 0C, 1 atm) is to be scrubbed with water to lower the
concentration to 0.02 percent. The absorber will operate at atmospheric pressure
with inlet temperature of 20 and 25  C for the gas and liquid, respectively. The
gas is saturated with water vapor at the inlet temperature and can be assumed to
leave as a saturated gas at 25  C. Calculate the value of Noy if the liquid rate is
1.25 times the minimum.
The following solubility data are given by Perry.
76
ya = 0.0002 (0.02 percent NH3) T = 25C

Water inlet
Saturated gas
xa = 0, T = 25C
GL
Operating pressure 1 atm
Gas flow = 4,500 SCFM (ft3/min)

6.0 percent of NH3 , T = 20C
Saturated gas
77
Solution
Basis: 100 g mol of dry air in gas mixture, containing 94 mol of air and 6 mol of NH3.
- Calculate water vapor in gas inlet (at 20C, pH2O = 17.5 mm Hg)
17.5
100 742.5 = 2.36 mol
- Calculate moles of ammonia in the outlet gas
ya = 0.0002
0.0002
94 0.9998 = 0.0188 mol NH3
- Calculate the amount of ammonia absorbed
6 – 0.0188 = 5.98 mol
- Heat balance
Qa = Qsy + Qv + Qsx
Where Qa = heat of absorption
Qsy = sensible heat change in gas
Qv = heat of vaporization
Qsx = sensible heat change in liquid
78
Solution
- Calculate heat of absorption (Qa)
Qa = (5.98)(8,310) = 49,690 cal
- Calculate sensible heat change in gas
Qair = (94 mol)(7.0 cal/mol.C)(25-20)C = 3,290 cal
QH2O = (2.36 mol)(8.0 cal/mol.C)(25-20)C = 94.4 cal
Qsy = 3,290 + 94.4 = 3,384.4 cal
- Calculate the amount of vaporization of water
At the gas outlet 25C, pH2O = 23.7 mm Hg)
23.7
94.02 736.3 = 3.03 mol
The amount of water vaporized is 3.03 – 2.36 = 0.67 mol
- Calculate heat of vaporization
Since Hv = 583 cal/g
Qv = (0.67)(583)(18.02) = 7,040 cal
79
Solution
- Calculate sensible heat change in the liquid (Using heat balance equation)
Qsx = 49,690 - 3,384.4 – 7,040 = 39,265.6 cal
- Calculate the outlet liquid temperature (Using trial and error method)
Assume Cp,solution = 18 cal/g mol.C and yb = 0.06
First guess: Tb = 40C and xmax = 0.031 (using equilibrium
line)
- Calculate total moles of liq. out (Lb)
5.98
𝐿𝑏 = 0.031 = 192.9 mol
- Calculate Tb
(192.9)(18)(Tb – 25) = 39,265.6
Tb = 36.3 C
Second round: Tb = 37C, xmax = 0.033
- Calculate total moles of liq. out (Lb)
5.98
𝐿𝑏 = 0.033 = 181 mol
80
- Calculate Tb
(181)(18)(Tb – 25) = 39,265.6
Tb = 37 C
This procedure give the minimum liquid rate
- The minimum amount of water
Lmin = 181 – 5.98 = 175 mol H2O
- Calculate the operating water flow rate
La = 1.25(175) = 219 mol
And
Lb = 219 + 5.98 = 225 mol
- Calculate the outlet temperature of water
(225)(18)(Tb – 25) = 39,265.6
Tb = 35 C
xb = 5.98/225 = 0.0266
81
- Find the operating line
assume the straight line with the coordinate
(xa, ya) = (0, 0.0002) and (xb, yb) = (0.0266, 0.06)
- Find the equilibrium line
The curvature of the equilibrium line was obtained.
Select some point to find the equilibrium composition
At 35C with xb = 0.0266 and y* = 0.044 (using equilibrium
line at 35  C)
At 30 C
x = 0.0137 (temperature is assumed to be a linear
function of x)
y* = 0.017 (using equilibrium line at 30 C)
82
- Find Noy using the numerical integration or by applied the equation 𝑁𝑂𝑦 = 𝑦𝑏∆𝑦−𝑦𝐿 𝑎
to sections of the column
UNIT OPERATIONS II

Desorption or Stripping
84
La  Liquid to gas mass transfer (L  G)

Va
xa = high content ya = high content
 Favorable conditions
 High Temperature
 Low Pressure
LG  Stripping medium: Inert gas or steam (steam

is preferred for recovery the solute because it
can be condensed)
Lb Vb **If the absorption is carry out under high

xb = low content yb = low content pressure, a large fraction of the solute can be
recovered simply by flashing to atmospheric
pressure.
85
Absorption Desorption
La Va La Va
xa = low content ya = low content xa = high content ya = high content
GL LG
Lb Vb Lb Vb
xb = high content yb = high content xb = low content yb = low content
 Material balance: The same as absorption

 Operating line: The same as absorption
L V y  La xa
y x a a
V V
86 Equilibrium line and Operating line
Va La Va
ya = low content xa = high content ya = high content  Operating line: The same as absorption
L V y  La xa
LG
y x a a
V V
Vb - Slope = L/V
Lb Vb
yb = high content xb = low content yb = low content - Pass trough point (xa, ya) and (xb, yb)
- The operating line locates under the

equilibrium line.
- Mass transfer driving force (x – x*)
Operating lines for a counter current stripping column

87 L/Vmin.
Va Va
La  L/Vmin.
ya = low content xa = high content ya = high content
For desorption with constant La and xa, the
decreasing of gas flow rate (V) leads to
LG - Increasing of L/V
- Decreasing of mass transfer driving
Vb Vb force (x – x*)
Lb
yb = high content xb = low content yb = low content - Increasing of the column height
 The L/Vmin. corresponding to the
L V y  La xa operating line that just touches the
y x a a
V V equilibrium line.
- Minimum gas flow rate (Vmin.) yields
ya, max.
***Stripping column is operated at close to
the minimum vapor rate (reduce the cost of
steam).
Operating lines for a counter current stripping column

88
Height of stripping column
- The height of stripping column: Using the same

equation as for absorption
ZT = (HTU)(NTU)
***Often use the liquid-phase concentration*****
ZT = HOxNOx = 𝐻𝑂𝑥 ‫𝑥𝑑𝑥 ׬‬∗ −𝑥
89
Example 2.6 Water containing 6 ppm trichloroethylene (TCE) is to be purified by
stripping with air at 20C. The product must contain less than 4.5 ppb TCE to meet
emission standards. Calculate the minimum air rate in standard cubic meters of air
per cubic meter of water and the number of transfer units if the air rate is 1.5 to 5
times the minimum value.
Solution
- Find the equilibrium line
Assume the equilibrium line is a straight line. The slope of the equilibrium line was
converted from the Henry’s law constant.
Henry’s law constant for TCE in water at 20C is 0.0075 m3.atm/mol
Equilibrium line Henry’s law
y = m.x p = Hc
Convert Henry’s law into the same form of the equilibrium line
𝑝 𝐻 𝑐
= 𝑐𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝑃𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
90
Solution
Thus, m = 𝑃 𝐻 𝑐𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
PTotal = 1 atm
106 𝑔 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙
cTotal =
1 𝑚3 18 𝑔
= 55,555.56 mol/m3 (based on water density)
3
Therefore, m = 0.0075 𝑎𝑡𝑚.𝑚 1
𝑚𝑜𝑙 1 𝑎𝑡𝑚
55,555.56 3 = 417
𝑚𝑜𝑙
𝑚
The operating line: y = 417x
***With this large value of m, the desorption is liquid phase controlled.
- Find the composition at position “a” at the minimum air flow rate
At this condition, gas composition is in equilibrium with the liquid phase
MWTCE = 131.4 g/mol
xa = 1066𝑔,𝑇𝐶𝐸 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙,𝑇𝐶𝐸 18 𝑔,𝐻2𝑂
𝑔,𝐻2𝑂 131.4 𝑔,𝑇𝐶𝐸 1 𝑚𝑜𝑙,𝐻2𝑂
= 8.22 x 10-7
Thus, ya = 417(8.22x10-7) = 3.43 x 10-4

91
Solution
Basis: 1 m3 of solution
- Calculate the amount of TCE removal
6−0.0045 𝑔
131.4 𝑔/𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.0456 mol
- Calculate the amount of gas leaving
ya = 3.43 x 10-4
0.0456
V= = 132.9 mol
3.43 𝑥 10−4
- Calculate volume of gas in standard cubic meters
Since 1 g mol = 0.0224 std m3
Fmin = (132.9)(0.0224) = 2.98 std m3
- Calculate mass of gas at standard condition
The density of air at standard condition is 1.295 kg/m3
Gy = (2.98)(1.295) = 3.8591 kg
92
Solution
- Calculate the minimum air rate in STD cubic meters per cubic meter of water
𝐺𝑦 3.8591 -3 kg air/kg water
𝐺𝑥 𝑚𝑖𝑛
= 1,000
= 3.86 x 10
- Find the NOx
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝐶 𝐶𝑎 −𝐶𝑏
𝑁𝑂𝑥 = ‫׬‬ =‫׬‬ =
𝑥 ∗ −𝑥 𝐶 − 𝐶∗ (𝐶−𝐶 ∗ )𝐿
𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙,𝑇𝐶𝐸 131.4𝑚𝑜𝑙,𝑇𝐶𝐸 1 𝑝𝑝𝑚
where 𝐶(𝑝𝑝𝑚) = 𝑥
𝑚𝑜𝑙,𝐻2𝑂 18
𝑔
106 𝑔
𝑚𝑜𝑙,𝐻2𝑂
If the air rate is 1.5 times the minimum value

xa = 8.22 x 10-7 Ca = 6 ppm
3.43𝑥10−4
y =
a 1.5
= 2.29 x 10-4
2.29𝑥10−4
Thus, x* =
a 417
= 5.49 x 10-7
C*a = (5.49𝑥10−7) 131.4
18 10
1
= 4.01 ppm
6
Ca – C*a = 6.0 – 4.01 = 1.99

93
Solution
At the bottom
0
yb = 0 x*b = 417 =0 C*b = 0 ppm
Cb = 0.0045 ppm
Cb – C*b = 0.0045 ppm
So, (𝐶−𝐶 ∗)𝐿 = 1.99−0.0045
ln(
1.99
)
= 0.3259 ppm
0.0045
Thus,
𝑑𝐶 𝐶 −𝐶
𝑎 𝑏 6−0.0045
𝑁𝑂𝑥 = ‫ 𝐶 ׬‬− 𝐶 ∗ = (𝐶−𝐶 ∗) = = 18.4
𝐿 0.3259
Similar calculation for other multiples of the minimum flow rate gives the following
values.
94
The End

Chapter 2 Absorption

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Chapter 2 Absorption

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Chapter 2 Gas Absorption

2 Pressure drop and limiting flow rate

Packed Tower Components:

Figure 2.3 Packed bed section

Three types of Tower packings:

Raschig rings Metal Pall ring plastic Pall ring

Berl saddle ceramic Intalox Plastic Super metal Intalox

Figure 2.6 Structure packings

Figure 2.7 Contacting between

Figure 2.8 Pressure drop in a packed tower for air-water system

Effect of operating gas velocity

“Operating gas velocity should far enough from the

The gas velocity is sometimes chosen as one-half the

vg = 0.5 vflooding (2.2)

 Flooding velocity depends on

Figure 2.9 Flooding2 velocities in ceramic

Figure 2.10 Generalized correlation for pressure drop in dumped

Figure 2.11 Alternate generalized pressure drop correlation. (1 in.

 An empirical equation for the limiting pressure

where Pflood = pressure drop at flooding (in.H2O/ft of

Example 2.1: A tower packed with 1-in. (25.4-mm) ceramic

- Calculate the average molecular weight of the entering gas

From Fig. 2.11, for P = 0.5,

However, Fig. 2.11 is generalized for all packing types. Thus,

Calculate of Gy using the data for 1-in. Intalox saddles in Fig.

(This value is used for the design)

Calculate cross-sectional area of the tower

Calculate diameter of the tower

(b) Estimate the ratio of the gas velocity to the flooding

Estimate the gas velocity ratio

- Based on Fig. 2.9

Figure 2.12 Flooding velocities in structured packings.

Example 2.2 Substitute Gempak 230 A2T packing,

The allowable vapor velocity, at 60 percent of flooding

Figure 2.13 Material balance in a counter current absorption tower

Material balance for the portion of the column

Eq. (2.8) is called “Operating line”

Material balance of component A

Material balance of component A

Figure 2.13 Flooding velocities in structured packings.

- Calculate the average molecular weight of the entering gas

- The operating line must lie above the equilibrium line.

(An infinitely deep packed section is required)

Increasing L/V  increasing of the driving force of the mass

Increasing L/V  Large amount of liquid (L) is desired  Dilute

Optimum liquid rate  Balancing of the operating costs for both

Water flow = 9.46 x 10-3 kg/s ya = 0.0129

Gas flow = 1.21 x 10-2 m3/s

Total of liquid entering tower 𝑉=

Gas Absorption (Part 3)

Bulk gas gas film liq. bulk liq.

y, x = bulk compositions in gas and liq. phases, respectively

Drawning a line from the operating line at (x,y)

Remark: It is not necessary to know the

NOy = The number of transfer unit based on the overall

Remark: **NTU > NTP

- Find y*a using xa; y*a = 3.1(xa) = 3.1(0) = 0

NOy = 𝑦𝑏∆𝑦−𝑦𝑎 = 0.03−0.0003

Gas Absorption (Part 4)

 Kya increases with Pressure because

Effect of pressure on absorption

***Usually the overall effect is an increase in

Temperature profiles and equilibrium lines for adiabatic absorption

- Find ya using xa; ya = 3.1(xa) = 3.1(0) = 0