CHAPTER THREE

Stage & Continuous Gas–Liquid Separation

Processes

1
Content
10.1 Types of Separation Processes and Methods
10.2 Equilibrium Relation Between Phases
10.3 Single and Multiple Equilibrium Contact Stages
10.4 Mass Transfer Between Phases
10.5 Continuous Humidification Processes
10.6 Absorption on plate and Packed Tower
10.7 Absorption and Concentrated Mixtures in Packed Tower
10.8 Estimation of Mass Transfer Coefficient in Packed Tower

2
10.1 Types of Separation Processes
and Methods
 Absorption (When the two contacting phases are a gas and a liquid)
 Distillation (A volatile vapor phase and a liquid that vaporizes are
involved)
 Liquid-liquid Extraction (When the two phases are liquids)
 Leaching (Extract a solute from a solid, sometimes also called
extraction)
 Membrane Processing (Separation of molecules by the use of
membrane)
 Crystallization
 Adsorption
 Ion-Exchange
3
Definitions
Absorption
The removal of one or more selected components from a mixture of
gases by absorption into a suitable liquid is the second major
operation of chemical engineering that is based on interphase mass
transfer controlled largely by rates of diffusion.
Stripping/desorption
Reverse of absorption.

Humidification
Transfer of water vapor from liquid water into pure air.

Dehumidification
Removal of water vapor from air. 4
Absorption Unit
Pure Gas Out
A= 5 mole

Pure Liquid In
A= 0 mole

Gas In

A= 20mole Liquid Out

5
A= 15 mole
Main design1/2
Pure Solvent

Gas

6
Main design2/2

7
10.2 Equilibrium Relation Between Phases

 Gas- Liquid Equilibrium

For dilute concentrations of most gases, and over a wide range for some gases, the
equilibrium relationship is given by Henry’s law. This law, can be written as:
…………………………. (10.2.2)
PA  H.X A

YA  H ' X A …………………………. (10.2.3)

where,
PA = partial pressure of component A (atm).
H = Henry’s law constant (atm/mol fraction).
H’ = Henry’s law constant (mol frac.gas/mol frac.liquid). = H/P.
XA = mole fraction of component A in liquid. ( dimensionless )
YA = mole fraction of component A in gas = PA/P. ( dimensionless )
8
P = total pressure (atm).
Example 10.2-1
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Water.
What will to be the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water at 298 K
when the solution is in equilibrium with air at 1 atm total pressure ? The
Henry’s law constant is 4.38 x 104 atm/mol fraction.

Solution,
P  H .X A
The partial pressure pAA of oxygen (A) in air is 0.21 atm. Using Eq.(10.2-
2)..

0.21=H xA
= 4.38 x104 xA

Solving , xA = 4.80 x10-6 mol fraction.

9
10.3 Single and Multiple Equilibrium
Contact Stages
10.3.A Single - stage Equilibrium contact
 It can be defined as one in which two different phases (liquid & gas for absorption)
are brought into contact & then separated.

 During the time of contact intimate mixing occurs and the various components diffuse
and redistribute themselves between the two phases.

 If mixing time is enough, the components are essentially at equilibrium in the two
phase after separation and the process is considered to be single equilibrium stage

10.3.B Single-stage Equilibrium contact for Gas-Liquid System (Absorption)

- Gas phase contains solute A & inert gas B.
- Liquid phase contains solute A & inert liquid (solvent) C.
- V = gas flowrate & L = liquid flowrate.
- L’ = inert liquid (C) flowrate & V’ = inert gas (B) flowrate
- x,y = mole frac. in liquid phase & gas phase, respectively.
10
Single-Stage Equilibrium Contact for
Gas-Liquid System 1/2

Gas phase Gas phase

V1 V2
outlet inlet
yA1 yA2
Single-stage
Liquid phase Liquid phase
L0 L1
inlet outlet
xA0 xA1

11
Single-Stage Equilibrium Contact for Gas-Liquid
System 2/2 Gas phase V1 V2 Gas phase
In = Out outlet yA1 yA2 inlet
Single-stage
Liquid phase Liquid phase
Total material balance: L0 + V2 = L1 + V1 inlet
L0
xA0
L1
xA1
outlet

Component A balance: L0xA0 + V2yA2 = L1xA1 + V1yA1

Component C balance: L0xC0 + V2yC2 = L1xC1 + V1yC1

An equation for B is not needed since xA + xB + xC = 1.0

In term of inert flow rate: L’ = L(1-xA)  L = L’/(1-xA)

V’ = V(1-yA)  V = V’/(1-yA)

Operating line:

 x A0  ' y A2  ' x A1  ' y A1 

L 
'
  V    L    V  
 1  x A0   1  y A2   1  x A1   1  y A1 
unknowns :- xA1 & yA1 12
Example 10.3-1 1/5
Equilibrium Stage Contact for CO2–Air-water

A gas mixture at 1.0 atm pressure abs containing air and

CO2 is contacted in a single-stage mixer continuously
with pure water at 293 K. The two exit gas and liquid
streams reach equilibrium. The inlet gas flow rate is 100
kg mol/h, with a mole fraction of CO2 of yA2 = 0.20. The
liquid flow rate entering is 300 kg mol water/h. calculate
the amounts and compositions of the two outlet phases.
Assume that water does nor vaporize to the gas phase.

13
Example 10.3-1 2/5
Solution
The flow diagram,
(1) The inert water flow is L’ = L0 = 300 kg mol/h.

(2) The inert air flow V’ is obtained from, V’ = V(1-yA ).

Hence, the inert air flow is
V’ = V2 (1-yA2 )
= 100 (1-0.20)
= 80 kg mol/h .

V1 V2 = 100 kg mol/h
yA1 1 atm yA2 = 0.20
L0 = 300 kg mol/h 293 K L1
xA0 14

xA1
 Example 10.3-1 3/5
(3) Substituting into equation to make a balance on CO2 (A).

…(1)

 x A0  ' y A2  ' x A1  ' y A1 

L '
  V    L    V  
 1  x A0   1  y A2   1  x A1   1  y A1 

 0   0.20   x A1   y A1 
300   80   300   80 
1 0   1  0.20   1  x A1   1  y A1 

Know …. The Resulting equation has two unknowns (XA1 and YA1 ) .. So it
is necessary to calculate one of these unknowns to solve the equation
above..!!!
It is possible to calculate the YA1 by the use of Henry’s law because the gas 15

and liquid are in equilibrium as mentioned in the question before

 Example 10.3-1 4/5

YA  H ' X A

H` needed to calculated

At 293 K, the Henry’s law constant from Appendix A.3 is

H = 0.142 x 104 atm/mol frac.
Then
H’ = H/P = 0.142 x 104 /1.0 = 0.142 x 104 mol frac. gas/mol frac. Liquid.
Substituting into,
yA1 = 0.142 x 104 xA1 ………(2)

Know it possible to use the value of YA1 in equation (1) to calculate the value of XA1 16
Example 10.3-1 5/5
Solving equation (1) and (2) simultaneously,
get xA1 = 1.41 x 104 and yA1 = 0.20. To calculate the total flow rates
leaving,

L' 300
L1   4
 300kgmol / h
1  x A1 1  1.41 10
V' 80
V1    100kgmol / h
1  y A1 1  0.20

In this case, since the liquid solution is so dilute, L 0  L1 .

17
10.3.C Countercurrent Multiple-Contact
Stages 1/4.

V1 V2 V3 Vn Vn+1 VN VN+1

1 2 n N

L0 L1 L2 Ln-1 Ln LN-1 LN

18
10.3.C Countercurrent Multiple-Contact
Stages 2/4.
 Countercurrent multiple-contact stages.
- more concentrated product.
- total number of ideal stages = N.
- B&C may or may be not be somewhat miscible in each other.
- two streams leaving a stage in equilibrium with each other.

 Total material balance: L0 + VN+1 = LN + V1

 Component A overall balance: L0 x0A + VN+1 yN+1A = LN xNA + V1 y1A
 For the first n stages balance : L0 x0A + Vn+1 yn+1A = Ln xnA + V1 y1A
This is why we write n instead of N

 Operating line:- 19
 10.3.C Countercurrent Multiple-Contact
Stages 3/4.
 An operating line is an important material-balance equation because
it relates the concentration yn+1 in the V stream with xn in the L
stream passing it.

Ln
slope slope 
Vn 1

streams L & V are immiscible in each other with only A being

transferred:-

 x A0  '  y An 1  '  x An  '  y A1 

L 
'
  V    L    V  
 1  x A0   1  y An 1   1  x An   1  y A1 
20
10.3.C Countercurrent Multiple-Contact
Stages 4/4.
 Graphical calculation for determining N:
1. Plot yA vs xA.
2. Draw operating line.
3. Draw equilibrium line (Henry’s law).
4. Stepping upward (or downward) until yN+1 (or y1) is reached.
5. N = number of steps/trays

 Dilute system (<10%):-

1. slope (flowrates V & L)  constant  operating line = straight
2. L’ & V’ = constant, dilute system (<10%)  operating line = straight.

21
Example 10.3-2 1/4
Absorption of Acetone in a Countercurrent Stage Tower

It is desired to absorb 90% of the acetone in a gas containing

1.0 mol % acetone in air in a countercurrent stage tower. The
total inlet gas flow to the tower is 30.0 kg mol/h and the total
inlet pure water flow to be used to absorb the acetone is 90
kg mol H2O/h.
The process is to be operate isothermally at 300 K and a total
pressure of 101.3 kPa. The equilibrium relation for the
acetone (A) in the gas-liquid is yA = 2.53xA.
Determine the number of theoretical stages required for this
separation.
22
 Example 10.3-2 2/4
Solution
the first step is to have good identification of the data given in the question
Given values are
yAN+1= 0.01 (1 mole % of acetone in air entering)
xA0 = 0 (Pure water )
VN+1 = 30.0 kg mol/h, (total inlet gas flow to the tower )
L0 = 90.0 kg mol/h. (total inlet pure water )

 making an acetone material balance,

(1) amount of entering acetone = yAN+1 VN+1
= 0.01(30.0)
= 0.3 kg mol/h.
(2) entering air = (1- yAN+1 )VN+1
= (1-0.01)(30.0)
= 29.7 kg mol air/h
23
 Example 10.3-2 3/4
(3) acetone leaving in V1= 0.10(0.30) = 0.030 kg mol/h.
(4) acetone leaving in L1 = 0.90(0.30) = 0.27 kg mol/h.
 from the four steps above, V1 , yA1 , LN ,and xAN can be calculated
V1 = 29.7 + 0.03 = 29.73 kg mol air + acetone/h.
yA1 = (0.030/29.73) = 0.00101
LN = 90.0 + 0.27 = 90.27 kg mol water + acetone /h.
xAN = (0.27/90.27) = 0.0030.
Since the flow of liquid varies only slightly from L0 = 90.0 at the inlet to
LN = 90.27 at the the outlet and V from 30.0 to 29.73, the slope Ln /Vn+1
of the operating line is essentially constant.
 This line is plotted, and the equilibrium relation of Henry
yA = 2.53xA is also plotted.
 Starting at point yA1 ,xA0 the stages are drawn. About 5.2 theoretical stages
are required. 24
Example 10.3-2 4/4
Mole fraction acetone in air, yA
0.012
yAN+1
Operating line
0.008
5
4
0.004 Equilibrium line
3
yA1 2
1
0
0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004
xA0 xAN
Mole fraction acetone in water, xA

Figure 10.3-4: Theoretical stages for countercurrent absorption in example 10.3-2.

25
10.3.D: Analytical Equations For Countercurrent
Stage Contact 1/3
 This technique is used to calculate the number of theoretical
stages analytically without the need for the graphical method
 Its also used to make comparison and justifications in the results
of both methods

 Kremser equations
 This method is used to calculate the number of ideal stages.
 This method is valid only when operating & equilibrium lines are
straight.

 In case of Absorption system the equation used is :

 y N 1  mx0  1  1
log  1    
 y1  mx0  A  A
N  26

log A
10.3.D Analytical Equations For Countercurrent
Stage Contact 2/3
where,
m = slope of equilibrium line.
A = absorption factor = constant = L/(mV).
L.V = molar flow rates.
y N 1  y1
when A = 1 N 
y1  mx0

 Stripping:  y N 1 
x
 0  
log 
y
m  1  A  A
 x N  N 1 
N   m 
1
log 27
A
10.3.D Analytical Equations For Countercurrent
Stage Contact 3/3
x0  x N
When A = 1, N 
y N 1
xN 
m
 Procedure (for varying A):

1. Calculate A1 at L0 & V1.

2. Calculate AN at LN &VN+1.

3. Calculate Aave. = A1 AN

4. Calculate N.
28
Example 10.3-3 1/2
Number of Stages by Analytical Equation.
Repeat Example 10.3-2 but use the Kremser analytical equation for countercurrent stage
processes.
Solution,
At Stages 1

V1 = 29.73 kg mol/h,
yA1 = 0.001001,
L0 = 90.0, and
xA0 = 0.

Also, the equilibrium relation is yA = 2.53xA where m = 2.53.

Then,

L L 90.0
A1   0   1.20 29

mV mV1 2.53  29.73

Example 10.3-3 2/2
At Stage N
VN+1 =30.0,
yAN+1 = 0.01,
LN = 90.27, and
xAN = 0.0030. LN 90.27
AN    1.19
mVN 1 2.53  30.0
The geometric average, A A1 AN  0.20  1.19  1.195

Then,
 0.01  2.53(0)  1  1 
log   1    
 0. 00101  2. 53( 0)  1. 195  1.195 
N  5.04
log(1.195)

This compares closely with 5.2 stages using graphical method

30
10.4 Mass Transfer Between Phases 1/2

For absorption, the solute may diffuse through a gas phase and then diffuse
through and be absorbed in an adjacent and immiscible liquid phase.
 The two phases are in direct contact with each other, and the interfacial
area between the phases is usually not well defined.
 A concentration gradient must exist to cause this mass transfer through
the resistances in each phase.

Liquid Gas
mole fraction

xi y

x yi

Mass transfer of A 31
10.4 Mass Transfer Between Phases 2/2
liquid-phase solution gas-phase mixture
of A in liquid L. of A in gas G
yAG
yAi

xAi NA
xAL
interface

Where distance from interface

yAG = concentration of A in the bulk gas phase

yAi = concentration of gas A at the interface
xAi =concentration of liquid A at the interface
32

x = concentration of A in the bulk liquid phase

 Film-transfer Coefficient and Interface
Concentration.
 Equimolar counterdiffusion.
NA = k’y(yAG – yAi) = k’x(xAi – xAL)
Where
k’y = Gas phase mass transfer coefficient (kg mol/s.m 2.mol frac)
k’x = Liquid phase mass transfer coefficient (kg mol/s.m 2.mol frac)

 Diffusion of A through stagnant or nondiffusing B.

NA = ky(yAG – yAi) = kx(xAi – xAL)

k y' k x'
where, ky  kx 
(1  y A ) iM (1  x A )iM

33
 NOTE (for equimolar counter-diffusion)
The interface composition (xAi and yAi ) can be determined by drawing the
line PM with the slope (-kx’ /ky’) intersecting the equilibrium line
k x' y  y Ai
slope   '  AG
ky x AL  x Ai
yAG equilibrium
P D
line

slope = m”
yAi
M
slope = m’
y*A
E
xAL xAi x*A

34
NOTE (for diffusion of A through stagnant
or nondiffusing B)
The interface composition (xAi and yAi ) can be determined by drawing the
line PM with the slope ( ) intersecting the equilibrium line
k x' y  y Ai
slope   '  AG
ky x AL  x Ai
yAG equilibrium
P D
line

slope = m”
yAi
M
slope = m’
y* A
E
xAL xAi x*A 35
Example 10.4-1 1/8
Interface Composition in Interphase Mass Transfer
The solute A is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a
wetted-wall tower with the liquid flowing as a film downward along
the wall. At certain point in the tower the bulk gas concentration
yAG = 0.380 mol fraction and the bulk liquid concentration is xAL
= 0.1. The tower is operating at 298 K and 1.013 x 105 Pa and the
equilibrium data are as follows:
xA yA
0 0
0.05 0.022
0.1 0.052
0.15 0.087
0.2 0.131
0.25 0.187
0.3 0.265 36
0.35 0.385
Example 10.4-1 2/8

The solute A diffuse through stagnant B in the gas

phase and then through a nondiffusing liquid.
Using correlations for dilute solutions in wetted-wall
towers, the film mass-transfer coefficient for A in the
gas phase is predicted as :
ky’ = 1.465 x 10-3 kg mol A/s.m2 mol frac.
And for the liquid phase as
kx’ = 1.967 x 10-3 kg mol A/s.m2 mol frac.

 Calculate the interface concentrations yAi and xAi and

the flux NA.
37
Example 10.4-1 3/8
Solution
First we plot the data
0.4

0.3

yA 0.2

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
xA 38
 0.4 P
yAG D

Example 10.4-1 4/8 yAi

0.3

0.2 M
M1
0.1
Now we need to find the point P on the graph y *
A
E
0
So : 0 0.1
x
0.2
x
AL
0.3 0.4
x
Ai *
A

 Since the correlations are for dilute solutions, (1-yA)iM and (1-xA)iM are approximately
1.0 and the coefficients are the same as k’y and k’x .

 Point P is plotted at yAG = 0.380 and xAL = 0.1.

 For the first trial (1-yA)iM and (1-xA)iM are assumed as 1.0 and the slope of line PM is,
from Eq.(10.4-9).

k x' /(1  x A ) iM 1.967 10 3 / 1.0

slope   '  3
 1.342
k y /(1  y A ) iM 1.465 10 / 1.0

 A line through point P with a slope of –1.342 is plotted in the figure intersecting the
equilibrium line at M1, where
39
yAi = 0.183 and xAi = 0.247.
 0.4 P
yAG D

Example 10.4-1 5/8 yAi

0.3

0.2 M
M1
0.1
y*A
E
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
xAL xAi x *A

 For the second trial we use yAi and xAi from the first trial to
calculate the new slope. Substituting into Eqs.(10.4-6) and (10.4-7),
(1  y Ai )  (1  y AG )
(1  y A ) iM 
ln[(1  y Ai ) /(1  y AG )]
(1  0.183)  (1  0.380)
  0.715
ln[(1  0.183) /(1  0.38)]
(1  x AL )  (1  x Ai )
(1  x A ) iM 
ln[(1  x AL ) /(1  x Ai )]
(1  0.1)  (1  0.247)
  0.825
ln[(1  0.1) /(1  0.247)] 40
 0.4 P
yAG D

Example 10.4-1 6/8 yAi

0.3

0.2 M
M1
0.1
y*A
E
0
 Substituting into Eq. (10.4-9) to obtain the new slope, 0 0.1
xAL
0.2
xAi
0.3 0.4
x *A

k x' /(1  x A ) iM 1.967 10 3 / 0.825

slope   '  3
 1.163
k y /(1  y A ) iM 1.465 10 / 0.715

 A line through point P with a slope of –1.163 is plotted and intersects

the equilibrium line at M, where yAi = 0.197 and xAi = 0.257. Using
these new values for the third trial, the following values are
calculated:
Please notice the values of xAi
(1  0.197)  (1  0.380)
(1  y A ) iM   0.709 and yAi didn’t change much
ln[(1  0.197) /(1  0.38)]
from the first trial and that
(1  0.1)  (1  0.257) means we are on the right way
(1  x A ) iM   0.820 of solving the problem 41
ln[(1  0.1) /(1  0.257)]
(refining the answer)
 0.4 P
yAG D

Example 10.4-1 7/8 yAi

0.3

0.2 M
M1
0.1
y*A
E
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
3
k /(1  x A ) iM 1.967 10 / 0.820
xAL
' xAi x *A

slope   x
 3
 1.160
k /(1  y A ) iM
'
y 1.465 10 / 0.709
 This slope of –1.160 is essentially the same as the slope of –1.163 for the
second trial.
 Hence, the final values are yAi= 0.197 and xAi = 0.257 and are shown as point
M. To calculate the flux,
k y' 1.967 103
NA  ( y AG  y Ai )  (0.380  0.197)
(1  y A ) iM 0.709
 3.78  10 4 kgmol / s.m 2

Note that the flux NA through each phase is the same as in other phase, which
should be the case at steady state. 42
Example 10.4-1 8/8
0.4 P
yAG D

0.3

yAi 0.2 M
M1
0.1
y* A
E
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
xAL xAi x *A
Fig.10.4-4: Location of interface concentrations for example 10.4-1.

43
Overall Mass-transfer Coefficients
and Driving Force.
 For equimolar counterdiffusion and/or diffusion in dilute
solutions,
NA = k’y (yAG – yAi ) = k’x (xAi – xAL)
 K’y(yAG – y*A )  K’x (x*A – xAL)
x*A is the value that would be in equilibrium with yAG
y*A is the value that would be in equilibrium with xAL
 For diffusion of A through stagnant or nondiffusing B.
 K y'    K '
 
NA   (
 AG y  y A )  
x
 ( x A  x AL )
 (1  y A )M   (1  x A )M 

44
10.5 Continuous Humidification Processes

Natural draft wet cooling hyperboloid towers at

Didcot Power Station, UK
45
Water-Cooling Tower 1/3

46
Water-Cooling Tower 2/3
Warm water flows counter-currently to an air stream. The warm water enters the top of
a packed tower and cascades down through the packing, leaving at the bottom.
Air enters at the bottom of the tower and flows upward through the descending water
by the natural draft or by the action of a fan.
The water is distributed by troughs and overflows to cascade over slat gratings or
packing that provide large interfacial areas of contact between the water and air in the
form of droplets and film of water.
The tower packing often consists of slats of wood or plastic or of a packed bed.

47
Water-Cooling Tower 3/3

48
Theory and Calculation of Water-Cooling
Towers
interface
Hi
liquid water

HG humidity
water vapor
TL Ti air
TG temperature
sensible heat latent heat in gas
in liquid
sensible heat in gas

Figure10.5-1: Temperature and concentration profile in upper part of

cooling tower.
49
Vapor Pressure of Water & Humidity

 Introduction
- calculation involve properties and concentration of
mixtures of water vapor and air.

 Humidification
- transfer of water from the liquid phase into a gaseous
mixture of air and water vapor.

 Dehumidification
- reverse transfer where the water vapor is transferred
from the vapor state to the liquid state.
50
Humidity & Humidity Chart 1/4
(1) Humidity, H : the kg of water vapor contained in 1 kg of dry air.

18.02 pA
H 
28.97 P  p A

where,
pA = partial pressure of water vapor in the air.
Saturated air – water vapor in equilibrium with liquid water.
pA = pAS
where,
pAS = saturated vapor pressure.
51
Humidity & Humidity Chart 2/4
(2) Humid volume, vH
It can be defined as total volume (m3) of 1 kg of dry air plus the vapor it contains at
1 atm abs pressure and the given gas temp.

vH (m3/kg dry air) = (2.83 x 10-3 + 4.56 x 10-3 H) T (K).

(3) Total enthalpy of an air-water mixture, HY

- the total enthalpy of 1 kg of air plus its water vapor.
- sensible heat of the air-water vapor mixture plus the latent heat.

HY (kJ/kg dry air) = (1.005 + 1.88 H) (T ºC-0) + 2501.4H

where,
Tref for both components = 0 ºC

52
Humidity & Humidity Chart 3/4
(4) Wet bulb temperature TW,
 It’s the steady-state nonequilibrium temperature reached when a small amount of water is contacted under adiabatic conditions by a continuous stream of gas.
Steady state temp. attained by a wet-bulb thermometer under standardized condition
 The temperature and humidity of the gas are not changed.
 At TW = TS, the convective heat transfer and wet bulb lines.

or,

q  M B k y W  H W  H  A

H  HW h M Bk y

T  TW W 53
Humidity & Humidity Chart 4/4

H  HW h M Bky

T  TW W
MB = molecular weight of Air
ky= Mass transfer coefficient
w = latent heat of vaporization at T
w

A = surface area
h = Heat transfer coefficient

q  h. A.(T  Tw )
54
Humidity Chart

Please insert figure 9.3-2 (Humidity

chart) page 529 (Geankoplis)

55
The operating line

G(Hy – Hy1) = LcL (TL – TL1)

where,
G = dry air flow, kg/s.m2.
L = water flow, kg water/s.m2
cL = heat capacity of water, assumed constant at 4187 kJ/kg.K.
TL = temperature of water, ºC or K.
Hy = enthalpy of air-water vapor mixture, J/kg air.
= cs (T-T0) + H0 = (1.005 + 1.88H)103 (T-0) + 2.501x106H
H = humidity of air, kg water/kg dry air.

56
Figure 10.5-3: Temperature enthalpy diagram
and operating line for water-cooling.

Hy*2
equilibrium line
Hy2
R operating line,
Enthalpy of air- Hy* slope = LcL/G
vapor mixture, Hyi M
Hy (J/kg dry gas) Hy
S P slope = -hLa
Hy*1
kGaMBP

Hy1

TL1 Ti TL TL2
Liquid temperature ºC

57
Design of Water-Cooling Tower Using
Film Mass-Transfer Coef.
 Please follow the steps mentioned in section 10.5C in book

 To calculate the tower height

z G H y2 dH y
0
dz  z 
M B kG aP  H y1 H yi  H y

where,
z = tower height
P = atm pressure.
MB = molecular weight of air
kGa = volumetric mass transfer coeff. in gas, kg mol/s.m 3
58
Design Using Overall Mass-Transfer
Coefficients.
z G H y2 dH y
0
dz  z 
M B K G aP H y1 H y  H y
where,
KGa = overall mass transfer coefficient.

 If experimental cooling data in an actual run in a cooling tower

with known height z are available, then the value of KGa can be
obtained.

59
Table 10.5-1

60
Example 10.5-1 1/6
Design of Water-Cooling Tower Using Film Coefficients.
A packed countercurrent water-cooling tower using a gas flow
rate of G = 1.356 kg dry air/s. m2 and a water flow rate of
L = 1.356 kg water/s. m2 to cool the water from TL2 = 43.3 ºC to
TL1 = 29.4 ºC.
The entering air at 29.4 ºC has a wet bulb temperature of
23.9 ºC . The mass-transfer coefficient kG a is estimated as
1.207 x 10-7 kg mol/s.m3.Pa and hL a / kGaMBP as 4.187 x 104
J/kg.K. .

Calculate the height of packed tower z. The tower operates at a

pressure of 1.013 x 105 Pa.
61
 200

Example 10.5-1 2/6 180

160
equilibrium line
Slope =
-41.87 x103

Solution
140
Enthalpy Hy
120
[(J/kg)10-3]

100

operating line
80

Following the step outlined

60
28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

TL1
Liquid Temperature (ºC)
TL2

1. The enthalpies from the saturated air-water vapor mixtures from

Table 10.5-1 are plotted in Fig. 10.5-4.
Data
preparation 2. The inlet air at TG1 = 29.4 ºC has a wet bulb temperature of 23.9
to be used in ºC .
equation
(9.3.8) 3. The humidity from the humidity chart is H1 = 0.0165 kg H2O/kg dry
air.
4. Substituting into Eq.(9.3-8),

Hy1 = cs (T-T0) + H0 = (1.005 + 1.88H) 103 (T-T0) + H0

Hy1 = (1.005 + 1.88 x 0.0165)103 (29.4-0) + 2.501 x 106(0.0165).
= 71.7 x 103 J/kg.
The point Hy1 = 71.7 x 103 and TL1 = 29.4 ºC is plotted. Then
substituting into Eq. (10.5-2) and solving, 62
 Example 10.5-1 3/6
G(Hy2 –Hy1) = LcL (TL2 – TL1)
1.356 (Hy2 – 71.7 x 103) = 1.356 (4.187 x 103) (43.3 – 29.4).
Hy2 = 129.9 x 103 J/kg dry air.
Now both Hy1 and Hy2 are calculated
Then
(1) The point Hy2 = 129.9 x 103 and TL2 = 43.3 ºC is plotted, giving the
operating line.
(2) Lines with slope - hL a / kG aMBP = -41.87 x 103 J/kg.K are plotted
giving Hyi and Hy values, which are tabulated in Table 10.5-2 along
with derived values as shown.
(3) Values of 1/(Hyi – Hy) are plotted versus Hy and the area under the
curve from Hy1 = 71.7 x 103 to Hy2 = 129.9 x 103 is
H y2 dH y

H y1 H yi  H y
 1.82 63
 200

Example 10.5-1 4/6 180

160

140
equilibrium line
Slope =
-41.87 x10 3

Enthalpy Hy
120
[(J/kg)10-3]

H y2 dH y 100


operating line

 1.82
80

60

H yi  H y
28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

H y1 TL1 Liquid Temperature (ºC) TL2

Substituting into Eq. (10.5-13),

G dH y 1.356
z 
M B kG aP H yi  H y
 7
29(1.207  10 )(1.013  10 )
5
(1.82)

 z  6.98m

64
Example 10.5-1 5/6

Hyi Hy Hyi – Hy 1/(Hyi – Hy)

94.4 x 103 71.7 x 103 22.7 x 103 4.41 x 10-5

108.4 x 103 83.5 x 103 24.9 x 103 4.02 x 10-5
124.4 x 103 94.9 x 103 29.5 x 103 3.39 x 10-5
141.8 x 103 106.5 x 103 35.3 x 103 2.83 x 10-5
162.1 x 103 118.4 x 103 43.7 x 103 2.29 x 10-5
184.7 x 103 129.9 x 103 54.8 x 103 1.85 x 10-5

Table 10.5-2: Enthalpy Values for Solution to Example 10.5-1

(enthalpy in J/kg dry air).

65
Example 10.5-1 6/6
200

Slope =
180
-41.87 x103
equilibrium line
160

140
Enthalpy Hy
120
[(J/kg)10-3]
100
operating line
80

60
28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
TL1 Liquid Temperature (ºC) TL2
Figure 10.5-4: Graphical solution of Example 10.5-1
66
Minimum Value of Air Flow 1/2 equilibrium
N

Hy2 line P
operating line for
Gmin,
slope
operating line,= LcL/Gmin
Hy1 slope = LcL/G
M
TL1 TL2

 The air flow G is not fixed but must be set for the design of the
cooling tower.
 For a minimum value of G, the operating line MN is drawn through
the point Hy1 and TL1 with a slope that touches the equilibrium line at
TL2, point N.
 If the equilibrium line is quite curved, line MN could become
tangent to the equilibrium line at a point farther down the
equilibrium line than point N.
 For the actual tower, a value of G greater than Gmin must be used.
Often, a value of G equal to 1.3 to 1.5 times Gmin is used.
67
Minimum Value of Air Flow 2/2
N
equilibrium line

Hy2 P
operating line for Gmin,
slope = LcL/Gmin

operating line,
Hy1 slope = LcL/G
M

TL1 TL2

Figure 10.5-5: Operating-line construction for

minimum gas flow.
68
Design Using Height of a Transfer Unit
G Hy2 dH y H y2 dH y
z  
M B K G aP H y1 H y  H y
 H OG 
H y1 H   H
y y

Where :
G= air flow rate
KGa= overall mass transfer coefficient (kg.mole/s.m3)
HOG= height of overall gas enthalpy transfer unit (m)
Temperature and Humidity of Air Stream in Tower

dH y H yi  H y

dTG Ti  TG
69
10.6 Absorption on plate and Packed Tower
10.6.1 Absorption on plate Tower

V1, y1 L0, x0
1
2

n
Vn+1, yn+1 Ln, xn
n+1

N-1
N
VN+1, yN+1 LN, xN

Fig.10.6-4: Material balance in an absorption tray tower. 70

10.6.1 Absorption on plate Tower
 The operating line
A plate (tray) absorption tower has the same process flow diagram
as the countercurrent multiple-stage process (as shown in the
figure)
 x0  ' y N 1  ' xN  ' y1 
L 
'
  V    L    V  
 1  x0   1  y N 1   1  xN   1  y1 

 A balance around the dashed-line box gives

 x0  ' yn 1  ' x  ' y1 
L 
'
  V    L  n   V  
Where  1  x0   1  yn 1   1  xn   1  y1 
x= mole fraction A in the liquid
y= mole fraction A in the gas
Ln= total moles of liquid/s 71

Vn+1= total moles of gas/s

Example 10.6-2 1/4
Absorption of SO2 in a Tray Tower.
A tray tower is to be designed to absorb SO2 from an air
stream by using pure water at 293 K.
The entering gas contains 20 mol % SO2 and that leaving
2 mol % at the total pressure of 101.3 kPa .
The inert air flow rate is 150 kg air/h.m2 and the entering
water flow rate is 6000 kg water/h.m2. Assuming an
overall tray efficiency of 25 %.
How many theoretical trays and actual trays are
needed? Assume that the tower operate at 293 K.
72
Example 10.6-2 2/4
Solution,
(1) calculating the molar flow rates,
V’ = (150/29) = 5.18 kg mol inert air/h.m2
L’ = (6000/18.0) = 333 kg mol inert water/h.m2.
(2) Referring to figure 10.6.4
yN+1 = 0.20 (Entering Gas from the bottom)
y1 = 0.02, (2% leaving in the gas )
x0 = 0. (pure liquid )
(3)Substituting into operating line equation and solving for xN.
 0   0.2   xN   0.02 
333   5.18   333   5.18 
1 0   1  0.20   1  xN   1  0 . 02 
 x N  0.00355

(4) Substituting into dashed-line eq., using V’ and L’ as kg mol/h.m2

instead of kg mol/s.m2. 73
 Example 10.6-2 3/4
 0   yn 1   xn   0.02 
333   5.18 
 
 333 
  5.18 
 1  0   1  y n 1   1  x n   1  0 .02 
(5)In order to plot the operating line, several intermediate points will be calculated.
Setting yn+1 =0.07 and substituting into the operating equation,

 0.07   xn   0.02 
0  5 .18    333
Hence, xn = 0.000855. To calculate another
 
  5.18
intermediate 
point, we seryn+1 = 0.13,
 1as0.00201.
and xn is calculated 0.07   1  xn   1  0.02 

(6)The two end points and the two intermediate points on the operating line are plotted
in Fig.10.6-5, as are the equilibrium data from Appendix A.3.
(7) The operating line is somewhat curved. The number of theoretical trays is
determined by stepping off the steps to give 2.4. The actual number of trays is
2.4/0.25 = 9.6 trays.

74
Example 10.6-2 4/4

YN+1 0.20
0.18 operating
line
0.16
0.14
Mole 0.12
fraction, 0.10 equilibrium
y 0.08 line
2
0.06
0.04
y1 0.02 1
0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008
x0 xN
Mole fraction, x
Fig.10.6-4 : Theoretical number of trays for absorption of SO2 in example 10.6-2. 75
10.6.2 Absorption on Packed Tower
Design of Packed Tower for Absorption
V2,y2 L2,x2

dz z

V,y L,x

V1,y1 L1,x1

76
Structured Packing Figure 10.6-6. Pressure-drop correlation
for structured packings

where ΔPflood : is in in. H2O/ft height of packing

Fp :is the packing factor in ft-1 given in

Table 10.6-1 for random or structured packing
77
Table 10.6-1. Packing Factors for Random
and Structured Packing 1/2

78
 Random Packing

Figure 10.6-5. Pressure-drop correlation

for random packing

79
procedure used to determine the limiting flow
rates and the tower diameter.
1 First, a suitable random packing or structured packing is selected, giving an
Fp value.
2 A suitable liquid-to-gas ratio GL/GG is selected along with the total gas flow
rate.
3 The pressure drop at flooding is calculated using Eq. (10.6-1), or if Fp is 60 or
over, the ΔPflooding is taken as 2.0 in./ft packing height.

4 Then the flow parameter is calculated, and using the pressure drop at
flooding and either Fig. 10.6-5 or 10.6-6, the capacity parameter is read off
the plot.
5 Using the capacity parameter, the value of GG is obtained, which is the
maximum value at flooding.
6 Using a suitable % of the flooding value of GG for design, a new GG and GL
are obtained. The pressure drop can also be obtained from Figure 10.6-5 or
10.6-6. 80

7 Knowing the total gas flow rate and GG, the tower cross-sectional area and ID
Table 10.6-1. Packing Factors for Random
and Structured Packing 2/2

81
EXAMPLE 10.6-1 1/5
Pressure Drop and Tower Diameter for
Ammonia Absorption
 Ammonia is being absorbed in a tower using pure
water at 25°C and 1.0 atm abs pressure. The feed
rate is 1440 lbm/h (653.2 kg/h) and contains 3.0 mol
% ammonia in air. The process design specifies a
liquid-to-gas mass flow rate ratio G L/GG of 2/1 and
the use of 1-in. metal Pall rings.
 Calculate the pressure drop in the packing and gas
mass velocity at flooding. Using 50% of the
flooding velocity, calculate the pressure drop, gas
and liquid flows, and tower diameter.
82
EXAMPLE 10.6-1 2/5

Solution:
The gas and liquid flows in the bottom of the tower are the largest, so
the tower will be sized for these flows. Assume that approximately all
of the ammonia is absorbed.
The gas average mol wt = 28.97(0.97) + 17.0(0.03) = 28.61.
The weight fraction of ammonia = 0.03(17)/(28.61) = 0.01783.

Assuming the water is dilute, from Appendix A.2-4, the water viscosity
μ = 0.8937 cp. From A.2-3, the water density is 0.99708 gm/cm3.
Then, ρL = 0.99708(62.43) = 62.25 lbm/ft3.
Also, v = μ/ρ = 0.8937/0.99708 = 0.8963 centistokes.
83
 EXAMPLE 10.6-1 3/5
 From Table 10.6-1, for 1-in. Pall rings, Fp = 56 ft-1. Using
Eq. 10.6-1, ΔPflood = 0.115 = 0.115(56)0.7 = 1.925 in. H2O/ft
packing height. The flow parameter for Fig. 10.6-5 is :

 Using Fig. 10.6-5, for a flow parameter of 0.06853

(abscissa) and a pressure drop of 1.925 in./ft at flooding, a
capacity parameter (ordinate) of 1.7 is read off the plot.
Then, substituting into the capacity parameter equation and
solving for vG,

84
 EXAMPLE 10.6-1 4/5
 vG = 6.663 ft/s.
 Then GG = vGρG = 6.663(0.07309) = 0.4870 lbm/(s · ft2) at
flooding. Using 50% of the flooding velocity for design,
GG = 0.5(0.4870) = 0.2435 lbm/(s · ft2) [1.189 kg/(s · m2)].
 Also, the liquid flow rate
GL = 2.0(0.2435) = 0.4870 lbm/(s · ft2) [2.378 kg/(s · m2)].
 To calculate the tower pressure drop at 50% of flooding, GG =
0.2435 and GL = 0.4870, the new capacity parameter is 0.5(1.7)
= 0.85. Using this value of 0.85 and the same flow parameter,
0.06853, a value of 0.18 in. water/ft is obtained from Fig. 10.6-
5. 85
 EXAMPLE 10.6-1 5/5
 The tower cross-sectional area =
(1440/3600 lbm/s)(1/0.2435 lbm/(s · ft2))
= 1.6427 ft2 = (π/4)D2.
Solving, D = 1.446 ft (0.441 m).
 The amount of ammonia in the outlet water assuming all of
the ammonia is absorbed is 0.01783(1440) = 25.68 lb.

 Since the liquid flow rate is 2 times the gas flow rate,
 the total liquid flow rate = 2.0(1440) = 2880 lbm/hr.
 Hence, the flow rate of the pure inlet water=
2880 - 25.68 = 2858.3 lbm/s.
86
Design of Packed Tower for Absorption
 Overall material balance on component A:
' x2  ' y1  ' x1  ' y2 
L    V    L    V  
 1  x2   1  y1   1  x1   1  y2 

 Operating line:-

 x  ' y1  ' x1   y 
  V    L    V '  
'
L
1 x   1  y1   1  x1  1 y 
 Very dilute system,

 with a slope of L’/V’ L'

x  V '
y1  L'
x1  V '
y
 minimum liquid flow rate L’min at x1max.
87
Design of Packed Tower for Absorption
To Solve for L’min:
1. Plot yA vs xA.
2. Draw the equilibrium line.
3. Draw a straight line from (x2,y2) to intersect the equilibrium line
at (x1 max ,y1)
In some cases, if the equilibrium line is curved concavely downward,
the minimum value of L is reached by the operating line becoming
tangent to the equilibrium line instead of intersecting it to give x1 max.
4. Calculate L’min from,

 x2  ' y1   x1max  ' y2 

L 
'
min
  V    Lmin 
'
  V  
 1  x2   1  y1   1  x1max   1  y2  88
Example 10.6.3 1/4
Minimum Liquid Flow Rate and Analytical Determination of
Number of Trays
A tray tower is absorbing ethyl alcohol from an inert gas using
pure water at 303 K and 101.3 kPa . The inlet gas stream flow
rate is 100 kg.mol/h and it contains 2.2 mol% alcohol .
It is desired to recover 90% of the alcohol . The equilibrium
relationship is y=m.x = 0.68x for this dilute stream.
Using 1.5 times the minimum liquid flow rate, determine the
number of trays needed graphically
89
Example 10.6.3 2/4 Solution
 The given data are :
y1= 0.022, x2= 0, V1= 100 kg mol/ h, m=0.68
(1)V`=V1(1-y1) = 100(1-0.022) = 97.8 kg mol/h
(2) moles of alcohol/h in V1 are 100-97.8=2.2
(3) Removing 90%, moles/h in outlet gas V2is 0.1(2.2) = 0.22
(4) V2=V`+0.22=97.8+0.22=98.02
(5) y2= 0.22/98.02= 0.00244
(6) the equilibrium line is plotted in figure (10.6.12) along with x2,y2and y1
(7) the operating line for minimum liquid flow rate Lmin is drawn from y2,x2
to point P, touching the equilibrium line where x1max = y1/m =
0.022/0.68=0.03235 90
Example 10.6.3 3/4

 x   y   x   y 
L'  2   V '  1   L'  1   V '  2 
 1  x2   1  y1   1  x1   1  y2 
 0   0.022  '  0.03235   0.002244 
  97.8   Lmin    97.8
'
L min  
 1  0   1  0. 022   1  0 . 03235   1  0. 002244 
Lmin  59.24kg.mol / h
(9) Using the relation mentioned in the question
L`=1.5Lmin=1.5(59.24)=88.86
(10) Using L` in equation (10.6.4) and solving for the outlet concentration , x1 = 0.0218
(11) The top operating line now is plotted as a straight line through the points y2,x2 and

y1,x1 in figure (10.6.12)

(12) An intermediate point is calculated by setting y=0.012 in equation (10.6.5) and
91
solving for x= 0.01078. plotting this point shows that the operating line is very linear . This
occurs because the solutions are dilute
Example 10.6.3 4/4

92
Simplified Methods For Dilute Gas Mixtures
(Height Of Packed Towers) 1/3
 Since a considerable percentage of the absorption processes include absorption
of a dilute gas A , these cases will be considered using a simplified design
procedure
 These cases are taken under consideration under the followings :

1. Dilute (<10%)
2. Operating line = straight
3. Equilibrium line = curve
4. Height of tower z:-

 V 1  y  iM  y1 dy
z '  y
 k y aS 1  y  av 2 y  yi

 1  y  iM 
 1  yi    1  y 
ln 1  yi  1  y  
93
Simplified Methods For Dilute Gas Mixtures
(Height Of Packed Towers) 2/3
 L 1  x  iM  x1 dx
z '  x2
k
 x aS 1  x  av xi  x

 1  x  iM 
 1  x   1  xi 
ln 1  x  1  xi  

 V  1  y  M  y1 dy
z '  y 
 K y aS 1  y
 
 av 2 y  y

 1  y   M 
1  y   1  y 


ln  1  y  1  y  


94
Simplified Methods For Dilute Gas Mixtures
(Height Of Packed Towers) 3/3
 1  x   1  x  
 1  x   M 
ln 1  x  1  x   
 L 1  x   M  x dx
z  x2 
1

 '
 K x aS 1 x  av x x

Where,
k’x ,k’y = film mass-transfer coefficient for gas phase & liquid phase,
respectively.
K’x ,K’y = overall mass-transfer coefficient for gas phase & liquid phase,
respectively.
a = interfacial area per volume of packed section.
S = cross-sectional area of tower.
yi ,xi = gas & liquid conc. at the interface, respectively.
y* ,x* = gas & liquid conc. that would be in equilibrium with y,x.
95
Solving Procedure 1/9
There are six major steps in the calculations:
1. On xy plot, draw operating line & equilibrium line.

2. By trial-and-error, determine yi ,xi or y*,x* using

k x' a /(1  x ) iM
Slope( PM )   '
k y a /(1  y ) iM
Between the top & bottom of the tower.

Point 1:- 1st trial:

Let (1-y)iM  (1-y1) &
(1-x)iM  (1-x1)

k x' a /(1  x1 ) k x' a /(1  x) iM

Slope   '  '
k yplot
Plot this slope on xy 1 gety1y)i1 , xi1. k y a /(1  y ) iM
a /(&
96
Solving Procedure 2/9
2nd trial:
Calculate (1-y)iM & (1-x)iM
Get new slope using,

k x' a /(1  x ) iM
Slope   '
k y a /(1  y ) iM

Get new values of yi1 , xi1

3rd trial:
Calculate new slope using values from of yi1 , xi1 2nd trial
Get yi1 , xi1

Stop when slopen1 = slope(n+1)1

Do the same for point 2 and any points between the two.
97
Solving Procedure 3/9
3. Plot y vs 1/(y-yi), x vs 1/(xi – x), 1/(y-y*) or 1/(x* - x).
4. Calculate area under the curve.
5. Calculate the term in the brackets at point 1 & 2. (Get the average.)
6. Calculate z from the appropriate equation.
To calculate the overall mass transfer coefficients:
K’ya:
Get K’yaave = (K’ya1 + K’ya2)/2

Use 1 1 m'
 '  '
K y a /(1  y ) M
'
k y a /(1  y ) iM k x a /(1  x) iM

at point 1 & point 2.

98
Solving Procedure 4/9

K’Xa:
Get K’Xaave = (K’Xa1 + K’Xa2)/2
1 1 1
Use,  '' '  '
K x a /(1  x)M
'
m k y a /(1  y ) iM k x a /(1  x) iM

at point 1 & point 2.

99
Solving Procedure 5/9
If solution = dilute (straight operating line) & a straight equilibrium line

Height of tower z :-
1.

V
( y1  y2 )  k y' az ( y  yi ) M
S
where,

( y1  yi1 )  ( y 2  yi 2 )
( y  yi ) M 
 ( y1  yi1 ) 
ln  
 y 2  yi 2 ) 
100
Solving Procedure 6/9
L
2. ( x1  x2 )  k x' az ( xi  x ) M
S
( xi1  x1 )  ( xi 2  x2 )
 ( xi  x ) M 
 ( xi1  x1 ) 
ln  
 xi 2  x2 ) 
V
3. ( y1  y 2 )  K y' az ( y  y  ) M
S
 
 ( y  y )  ( y  y 2)
 ( y  y )M  1 1 2

 ( y1  y1 ) 
ln   
 2y  y 2 ) 
101
Solving Procedure 7/9
4. L
( x1  x2 )  K x' az ( x   x ) M
S
 
 ( x  x )  ( x 2  x2 )
 ( x  x) M  1 1

 ( x1  x1 ) 
ln   
 2x  x 2 ) 

Use Vave = (V1 + V2)/2

and Lave = (L1 + L2)/2
in the above equations.

102
Solving Procedure 8/9
 These equations may be used in different ways .the general steps are
shown in the following figure:

103
 Solving Procedure 9/9
(1) Calculate Vav
Vav=(V1+V2)/2
(2) the interface composition yi1 and xi1 at point y1,x1 in the tower must be determined by
plotting line P1M1 , whose slope is calculated by (please see P672 for more details)
k x .a /(1  x) iM
`
k x .a
slope    
k y` .a /(1  y ) iM k y .a
k x` .a /(1  x1 )
slope  
k y` .a /(1  y1 )

(3) If the overall coefficient K`ya is being used , y*1and y*2 are determined as shown in
the past figure . If K`ya is used x1*and x2*are obtained
(4) Calculate the log mean driving force (y-yi)M from equation (10.6.27) if k`ya is used .
For K`ya, (y-y*)M is calculated by equation (10.6.28)
(5) Calculate the column height z by substituting into the appropriate equation 104
Example 10.6-4 1/12
Absorption of Acetone in a Packed Tower.
Acetone is being absorbed by water in a packed tower having a
cross sectional area of 0.186 m2 at 293 K and 101.32 (1 atm).
The inlet air contains 2.6 mol % acetone and outlet 0.5%. The gas
flow is 13.65 kg mol inert air/h. The pure water inlet flow is 45.36
kg mol water/h. Film coefficients for the given flows in the tower
are k’y a = 3.78 x 10-2 kg mol/s.m3.mol frac. And k’x a = 6.16 x10-2
kg mol/s.m3.mol frac. Equilibrium data are given in Appendix A.3.
(a) Calculate the tower height using k’y a.
(b) Repeat using k’x a.
(c) Calculate K’y a, and the tower height.

105
 Example 10.6-4 2/12
0.028
y1
slope = -1.62

From Appendix A.3 for acetone-water

0.024
operating line
0.020

and xA = 0.0333 mol frac. yi1 0.016

0.012

pA = 30/760 = 0.0395 atm or y 1 0.008 equilibrium line

*

y2
0.004
yi2

yA = 0.0395 mol frac. y*2 0

0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1

Hence, the equilibrium line is Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

yA = mxA or 0.0395 = m(0.0333).

Then, y=1.186x. This equilibrium line is plotted in Fg. 10.6-10. The given
data are L’ = 45.36 kg mol/h, V’=13.65 kg mol/h, y1= 0.026, y2 = 0.005,
and x2 = 0.
Substituting into Eq.10.6-3 for an overall material balance using flow
rates as kg mol/h instead of kg mol/s.

x1 = 0.00648
 0   0.026   x1   0.005 
45.36   13.65   45.36   13.65 
1 0   1  0.026   1  x1   1  0.005  106
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024

Example 10.6-4
operating line

3/12 0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

y 1 0.008
* equilibrium line
y2
0.004
yi2
y *2 0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1
Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

The points y1 , x1 and y2 , x2 are plotted in Fig. 10.6-10 and a

straight line is drawn for the operating line. Using Eq.(10.6-31)
the approximate slope at y1 , x1 is,
k x' a /(1  x1 ) 6.16  102 /(1  0.00648)
slope   '  2
 1.60
k y a /(1  y1 ) 3.78  10 /(1  0.026)

Plotting this line through y1 ,x1 , the line intersects the

equilibrium line at yi1 = 0.0154 and xi1 = 0.0130. Also,
y*1 = 0.0077. Using Eq. (10.6-30) to calculate a more accurate
slope, the preliminary values of yi1 and xi1 will be used in the
trial-and-error solution. Substituting into Eq. (10.4-6), 107
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024

Example 10.6-4 4/12

operating line
0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

y*1 0.008 equilibrium line

y2
0.004

(1  yi1 )  (1  y1 )
yi2
y*2 0

(1  y ) iM 
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1

ln[(1  yi1 ) /(1  y1 )] Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

(1  0.0154)  (1  0.026)
  0.979
ln[(1  0.0154) /(1  0.026)]
Using Eq.(10.4-7),
(1  x1 )  (1  xi1 )
(1  x ) iM 
ln[(1  x1 ) /(1  xi1 )]
(1  0.00648)  (1  0.0130)
  0.993
ln[(1  0.00648) /(1  0.0130)]

108
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024

Example 10.6-4
operating line

5/12 0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

y 1 0.008
* equilibrium line
y2
0.004
yi2
y*2 0

substituting into Eq. (10.6-30),

0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1
Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

k x' a /(1  x1 ) iM 6.16 102 / 0.993

slope   '  2
 1.61
k y a /(1  y1 ) iM 3.78 10 / 0.929

Hence, the approximate slope and interface values are accurate enough. For the slope at
point y2, x2.

k x' a /(1  x2 ) 6.16 102 /(1  0)

slope   '  2
 1.62
k y a /(1  y2 ) 3.78 10 /(1  0.005)
The slope changes little in the tower. Plotting this line, y i2 = 0.0020, xi2 = 0.0018, and y*2 =
0. Substituting into Eq. (10.6-24).
109
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024

Example 10.6-4
operating line

6/12 0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

( y1  yi1 )  ( y2  yi 2 )
y 1 0.008
* equilibrium line
y2

( y  yi ) M 
0.004
yi2
y*2 0

ln[( y1  yi1 ) /( y2  yi 2 )]
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1
Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

(0.026  0.0154)  (0.005  0.0020)

  0.00602
ln[(0.026  0.0154) /(0.005  0.0020)]
To calculate the total molar flow rates in kg mol/s,
V' 13.65 / 3600
V1    3.893 103 kgmol / s
1  y1 1  0.026
V' 13.65 / 3600
V2    3.811103 kgmol / s
1  y2 1  0.005
V1  V2 3.893 10 3  3.811 10 3
Vav    3.852 10 3 kgmol / s
2 2
110
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024

Example 10.6-4
operating line

7/12 0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

y 1 0.008
* equilibrium line
y2
0.004
yi2
y*2 0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1
Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

45.36
L  L1  L2  Lav 
'
 1.260  10  2 kgmol / s
3600
For part (a), substituting into Eq.(10.6-26) and solving.

Vav
( y1  y 2 )  k y' az ( y  yi ) M
S
3.852  10 3
(0.026  0.005)  (3.78  10  2 ) z (0.00602)
0.186
 z  1.911m

111
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024
operating line

Example 10.6-4 8/12

0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

y 1 0.008
* equilibrium line
y2
0.004
yi2

For part (b), using an equation similar to Eq.(10.6-27), y*2 0

0
x2
0.002
xi2
0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012
xi1
0.014

x1

( xi1  x1 )  ( xi 2  x2 ) Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

( xi  x ) M 
ln[( xi1  x1 ) /( xi 2  x2 )]
(0.013  0.00648)  (0.0018  0)
  0.00368
ln[(0.013  0.00648) /(0.0018  0)]
substituting into Eq. (10.6-30) and solving,

1.260 10 2 2
.026  0-.005
(00.00648 0 )  ( 6.16  10 ) z (0.00368)
0.186
checks
This z  1.part
936(a)
m quite closely.
112
 0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024
operating line
0.020

Example 10.6-4 9/12 yi1

*
0.016

0.012

y 1 0.008 equilibrium line

y2
0.004
yi2
y*2 0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1
Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2.

For part (c), substituting into Eq. (10.1-25) for point y1 ,x1.

(1  y1 )  (1  y1 )
(1  y )M 
ln[(1  y1 ) /(1  y1 )]
(1  0.0077)  (1  0.026)
  0.983
ln[(1  0.0077) /(1  0.026)]

The overall mass-transfer coefficient K’y a at point y1 ,x1 is calculated by

substituting into Eq. (10.4-24).
1 1 m'
 '  '
K y a /(1  y )M
'
k y a /(1  y ) iM k x a /(1  x) iM
113
Example 10.6-4 10/12
1 1 m'
 '  '
K y a /(1  y )M
'
k y a /(1  y ) iM k x a /(1  x) iM
1 1 1.186
 
K y a / 0.983 3.78  10 / 0.979 6.16  10  2 / 0.993
' 2

 K y' a  2.183 10  2 kgmol / s.m 3 .molfrac.

Substituting into Eq. (10.6-25),
( y1  y1 )  ( y2  y2 )
( y  y )M 
ln[( y1  y1 ) /( y2  y2 )]
(0.026  0.0077)  (0.005  0)
  0.01025
ln[(0.026  0.0077) /(0.005  0)]
114
Example 10.6-4 11/12

Finally substituting into Eq. (10.6-28),

V
( y1  y 2 )  K y' az ( y  y  ) M
S
3.852 10 3
(0.026  0.005)  (2.183  10  2 ) z (0.01025)
0.186
z  1.944m

115
 Example 10.6-4 12/12
0.028
y1
slope = -1.62
0.024
operating line
0.020

yi1 0.016

0.012

y*1 0.008 equilibrium line

y2
0.004
yi2
y* 2 0
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
x2 xi2 x1 xi1
Fig. 10.6-10: Location of interface composition for example 10.6-2. 116