CONCEPT OF ABSORPTİON

Gas absorption is the removal of one or more

pollutants from a contaminated gas stream by
allowing the gas to come into intimate contact
with a liquid that enables the pollutatants to
become dissolved by the liquid. The principal
factor dictating performance is the solubility of
the pollutants in the absorbing liquid.
The rate of transfer in the liquid is dictated by the
diffusion processes occurring on each side of the
gas liquid interface.
LİQUİD WASTE
Pollutants removed from the gas stream transferred into
liquid phase whose disposal is another issue to deal with.
Therefore scrubber needs other units such as storage vessels,
additives to treat the scrubbing liquid according to
required discharge standards.
ABSORPTION

Absorption units must provide large surface area of liquid-
gas interface

Therefore the units are designed to provide large liquid
surface area with a minimum of gas pressure drop
PACKED TOWER
PACKING MATERIAL AND SHAPES

Packing material (must be inert) is designed to increase the
liquid-film surface

Many geometric shapes are available : Raschig ring, pall
ring, berl saddle, tellerete etc.
PACKING MATERIAL AND SHAPES
PACKING
MATERIAL
PROPERTIES
ABSORPTION THEORY

Physically, the absorption of a pollutant gas from a moving
gas stream into an appropriate liquid stream is quite
complex

Basically the transfer process into each fluid stream is
accomplished by 2 mechanisms:

The pollutant species is transferred from the bulk of the gas
stream toward the gas-liquid interface by turbulent eddy
motions

Very close to the interface laminant flow is valid and transfer
is accomplished by molecular diffusion

On the liquid side of the interface process is reversed
ABSORPTION THEORY
 ABSORPTION THEORY
 On the basis of Fick's Law, the diffusion of one gas
(A) through a second stagnant gas B, N A, the molar
rate of transfer of A per unit cross-sectional area is
given by;
 NA = -DAB (dcA/dz)/(1-(cA/c)
DAB: molecula diffusion coef. (m2/t)
cA: molar concentration of species A (mol/L)
c: molar concentration of the gas mixture (mol/L)
z: the direction of mass transfer (m)

 DAB tables are available for a number of binary gas

mixtures
 ABSORPTION THEORY
 Mass transfer rate per unit area for molecular
diffusion of A through a second liquid is given by:
 NA = -DL/z (cA2-cA1)
DL: liquid phase molecular diffusion coef. (m2/t)
cA2-cA1: concentration difference of A over the distance z

 Typical values of DL for binary mixtures are tabulated

in the literature.
THE EQUILIBRIUM DISTRIBUTION CURVE

Before entering into details of mass transfer, let's summarize
the method of presenting equilibrium data for a pollutant A
distributed between liquid and gas phase

P=c
Inject
solute A

Inert carrier
gas
Mole
Inert Liquid fraction in Exp. Equilib.
gas, yA Distribution
Solvent
curve

Mole fraction in lqiuid, xA

THE EQUILIBRIUM DISTRIBUTION CURVE

After sufficient time, no further change in the concentration
of A in two phases. These concentration can be measured
and converted into mole fraction xA in the liquid phase and
yA in the gas phase

P=c
Inject
solute A

Inert carrier
gas
Mole
Inert Liquid fraction in Exp. Equilib.
gas, yA Distribution
Solvent
curve

Mole fraction in lqiuid, xA

MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS BASED ON
INTERFACIAL CONCENTRATIONS

When mass transfer occurs in moving liquid and gaseous
streams, it is difficult to evaluate the separate effects of
molecular and turbulent diffusion
 An alternative to this is to express NA for each phase in
terms of mass transfer coefficient k and a driving force
based on the bulk and interfacial concentrations for that
phase
MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS BASED ON
INTERFACIAL CONCENTRATIONS

For the liquid phase:
 NA = kL(cAi-cAL) = kx(xAi-xAL)
 kL(is the liquid mass transfer coeff. Based on concentration, in
length per unit of time, cAiis the concentration of A in the liquid
phase at the interface, cALis the concentration of A in the bulk of
the phase, in moles per unit volume.
 kx is the liquid mass transfer coefficient based on mole
fractions, in moles per units of time and length squared, x A is
the mole fraction of A in the liquid interface, and x AL is the mole
fraction of A in the bulk of the liquid phase
 MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS BASED ON
INTERFACIAL CONCENTRATIONS

For the gas phase:
 NA = kG(pAG-cAi) = ky(yAG-yAi)
 kGis the gas phase mass transfer coeff. based on partial pressures, in
moles/length2 time, pAGis the partial pressure of A in the bulk of gas
phase pAi is the partial pressure of A in the gas interface
 ky is the gas phase mass transfer coefficient based on mole
fractions, in moles per units of time and length squared, y AG is the
mole fraction of A in the bulk of the gas phase, and y Ai is the mole
fraction of A in the gas phase interface
 MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS BASED ON
INTERFACIAL CONCENTRATIONS

 However this approach to determining NA is not practical since kx

and ky are difficult to obtain and no way to measure the values of
yAi and xAi experimentally since any attempt to do it will perturb
the equilibrium between the two streams
 OVERALL MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS
 When mass transfer rates are reasonably low, NA can be expressed
as:
 NA = KG(pAG-pA*) = Ky(yAG-yA*)
 KG and Ky are local overall mass transfer coefficients
 pA* : equilibrium partial pressure of solute A in a
gas phase which is in contact with a liquid having
the composition of cAL of the main body of the
absorption liquid
 yA*: defined similarly in terms of a liquid with
mole fraction xAL of the bulk liquid
OVERALL MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS
Point P represents the state of the
bulk phase of the 2 fluid streams,
yAG and xAL.

The point M represents the state

(yAi and xAi) associated with
equilibrium at the interface
slope=m'
The distance between P and C is a
measure of the driving force.
OVERALL MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS
 NA = KG(pAG-pA*) = Ky(yAG-yA*) This equation is usually
restricted the resistance to mass transfer is primarily in the gas
phase, which characterizes the majority of absorption problems
in air pollution work

The solubility of the polutant gas normally determines the liquid
that is chosen

The major physical problem is getting the pollutant to diffuse
through the gas phase to the interface, consequently gas phase
controls the process.

If the liquid phase controls:
 NA = KL(cA*-cAL) = Kx(xA*-xAL)
OVERALL MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS
It is important to note that the quantities p * y *,c *,x * do

A , A A A
not represent any actual condition in the absorption process
but are related in each case to a real concentration in one of
the bulk fluids through the equilibrium data for the two-
phase system. From the geometry of the previous figure:
 yAG-yA*= yAG-yAi+(yAi-yA*)
 yAi-yA*=m'(xAi-xAL)
 yAG-yA*= yAG-yAi+m'(xAi-xAL)
 1/Ky=1/ky+m'/kx
MASS BALANCES AND THE OPERATING LINE
FOR PACKED TOWERS
Gm molar total gas flow
rate (carrier gas +
pollutant)
Lm,2 Gm,2 Gc molar inert carrier
Ls Gc gas flow rate
x2 Lm molar total solvent
y2 flow rate (solvent +
X2 T = const
Y2 absorbed pollutant)
P = const Ls molar solvent flow
Cross-sectional rate
area, A x is the liquid mole
fraction of pollutant, y
dz is the gas phase mole
fraction of the
pollutants, X is the
Lm,1 Gm,1 liquid phase mole ratio
and Y is the gas phase
Ls Gc mole ratio
x1 y1
X1 Y1
MASS BALANCES AND THE OPERATING LINE
FOR PACKED TOWERS

Mole fraction and mole ratio:

X = x/(1-x) Y = y/(1-y)

Subscript m denotes that rates are in the units of mole basis

The conservation of mass principle applied to the pollutant
species in terms of total mass flow rates at top and bottom
yields:
Gm,1y1+ Lm,2x2 = Gm,2y2+ Lm,1x1
 or Gm,1y1 -Gm,2y2 = Lm,1x1 -Lm,2x2
MASS BALANCES AND THE OPERATING LINE
FOR PACKED TOWERS
 In Gm,1y1 -Gm,2y2 = Lm,1x1 -Lm,2x2 total gas and liquid flow
rates are not equal at the top and the bottom of the column,
therefore we cannot further simplify this equation.

When we write the equation in terms of the carrier gas and
liquid solvent rates then:
 GC,m(Y2-Y1) = LS,m(X2-X1)

These two equations above gives a straight line on Y-X
coordinates with a slope of Lsm/GCm and called operating
lines.
 
The operating line lies above
the equilibrium line for
absorption

For a stripping (removal of gas
Dirty air from liquid stream) the
operating line must lie below
the equilibrium line in order
for the drving force to act from
the liquid phase toward the gas
Clean air
phase
Clean water Dirty water
THE MINIMUM AND DESIGN LIQUID- GAS
RATIO
 At the bottom and top of the absorber, parameters Gm,1, Gc,
y1, Gm2, y2, and x2 are known.
 We need to determine Ls, and x1

So we have one equation with 2 unknowns...

However selection of one of these values, obviously fixes
the other.

How to select a value?
THE MINIMUM AND DESIGN LIQUID- GAS
RATIO
The minimum rate is highly
undesirable. At this point driving
force is almost 0. Hence it would
take an infinetely tall absorber to
accomplish the desired
separation
As a general operating principle
an absorber is typically designed
to operate at liquid rates which
are 30 to 70 % greater than
minimum rate.
TOWER DIAMETER AND PRESSURE DROP
PER UNIT TOWER HEIGHT

For a given packing and liquid flow rate in an absorption
tower variation in the gas velocity has a significant effect on
the pressure drop

As the gas velocity is increased, the liquid tends to be
retarded in its downward flow, giving rise to term liquid
holdup (LH)

A LH increases, the free cross-sectional area for gas flow
decreases and pressure drop per unit height increases.
PROBLEMS WITH HIGH GAS VELOCITY

Channeling: the gas or liquid flow is much greater at some
points than at others

Loading: the liquid flow is reduced due to the increased gas
flow; liquid is held in the void space between packing

•Flooding: the liquid stops flowing altogether and collects in the
top of the column due to very high gas flow

TO AVOID this condition experience dictates operating at gas
velocities which are 40 to 70 % of those which causing flooding
FLOOD POINT

The relationship between P/Z and other important tower
variables-liquid and gas rates, liquid and gas stream
densities and viscosities, and type of packing has been
extensively studied on an experimental basis.

A widely accepted correlation among these parameters can
be seen in below figure

Where G' and L': superficial gas and liquid mass flow rate
defined as actual flow rates divided by the empty cross-
sectional area of the tower.
 (G ' ) 2 F L0.1
g c (  L  G ) G

G’:gas mass flux (lb/s-

ft2)
F:packing factor (ft2/ft3)
L:liquid viscosity, cp
gc: proportıonality
constant, 32.17 ft-
lb/s2-lbf
L:liquid density, lb/ft3
L’/G’√(G/L-G)
G:gas density, lb/ft3 L’: liquid mass flux (lb/s-ft2)
In Cooper and Alley’s book, Figure 13.6 can be used. Note that in Figure 13.6 Gx and Gy are
liquid and gas flux (lg/s-ft2), respectively. In our notation G’ and L’ correspond to Gx and Gy
 PACKİNG FACTOR F

The top line in the figure represents the general flooding
condition for many packings. The flooding condition
however has been found to vary as a function of the packing
factor F (dimensionless packing factor tabulated below)

Recent studies showed that when F is in the range of 10 to
60, the pressure drop can be expressed by:
Pflood = 0.115F0.7
PACKİNG DATA
 DETERMINING TOWER DIAMETER


First abscissa value is calculated
(L'/G')(pG/(pL-pG))0.5

Where this value intercepts the flooding line on Figure
A, move horizontally to the left and read the value of the
ordinate:
(G')2F(L)0.1/gc(pL-pG)pG

Calculate the G’ and take 30 to 70% of it to prevent
flooding

Tower crossectional area: A = G/G‘

Evaluate the tower diameter
DETERMINING EXPECTED PRESSURE DROP
PER UNIT HEIGHT OF TOWER

First calculate actual G’ and L’ and then calculate the
abscissa and the ordinate for use in Figure 13.6

From those values the intersection on the figure defines
the pressure drop per foot of packed height

Another emprical correlation found in the litrature for the P

in packing when operating below the load point is
P/Z = 10-8m[10nL’/L](G’2/G) m and n are packing constants
see Table 6.2
DETERMINING TOWER DIAMETER AND EXPECTED
PRESSURE DROP PER UNIT HEIGHT OF TOWER
EXAMPLE
A packed tower is to be designed to remove 95% of the ammonia
from a gaseous mixture of 8 percent ammonia and 92% air, by
volume. The flow rate of the gas mixture entering the tower at 68 F
and 1 atm is 80 lb-moles/hr. Water containing no ammonia is to be
the solvent, and 1-in. Ceramic raschig rings will be used as the
packing. The tower is to operated at 60% of theflood point and the
liquid water rate is to be 30% greater than the minimum rate.
Determine


1. The gas-phase flow rates, in lb-moles/hr, for the solute and carrier
gas

2. The mole ratios of the gas and liquid phases at inlet and outlet and
the required water rate in lbmoles/hr.

3.The gas and liquid rates (lb/hr) for carrier gas, solute gas, total gas,
liquid solvent, solute in liquid, and total liquid

4. The tower area and diameter

5. The pressure drop based on the two methods given in the lecture
notes.
EXAMPLE
Removal efficiency: 95%
Effluent Stream Composition: 8% ammonia and 92% air
Gas T and P: 68F and 1 atm
Flowrate: 80 lb-moles/hr
Liquid phase: Containing no ammonia
 EXAMPLE
Determine composition of the liquid at the exit (X1)
(Inlet liquid concentration since pure water is used is x2=X2=0)
Use equilibrium data for ammonia-air-water mixtures which are given
below for 68 F and 14,7 psia. :
X 0.0206 0.0310 0.0407 0.0502 0.0735 0.0962
Y 0.0158 0.024 0.0329 0.0418 0.0660 0.0920

In order to determine composition of liquid at the exit, we need to

calculate the minimum solvent flow rate first.
By plotting X vrs Y at the equilibrium, we can evaluate the
minimum solvent and then operating solvent rate.

In Cooper and Alley’s book, use Table B4 in the Appendix.

 EXAMPLE

y, moles solute per mole

0,1
Y1=0.087
0,08
carrier gas
0,06
(Lm,S/Gm,C)min= 0,90
(0,087-0,00435)/0,092
0,04

0,02
X2,Y2
0
Y2=0.00435 0.092
0 0,02 0,04 0,06 0,08 0,1
X, moles solute per mole solvent

Since the liquid rate is to be 30% greater than the miniumu rate
(Lm,S)/Gm,C)design = 1,30(0.90) = 1.17 mole/mole
Lm,S = Gm,C*1,17 = 1.17*73.6 = 86.1 lb moles/hr
 EXAMPLE
y, moles solute per mole
0,1
Y1=0.087
carrier gas 0,08

0,06
(Lm,S/Gm,C)=1.17
0,04 0,90

0,02
X2,Y2
X1: 0.0707
0.00435
0 0,02 0,04 0,06 0,08 0,1
X, moles solute per mole solvent
Now, X1 can now be found.
1. Graphically by drawing operating line with a slope of 1.17 with starting
point of (0, 0.00435) and the point crosses Y1=0.087 can be read. OR
2. From Lms/Gm,C = Y2-Y1/(X2-X1)=0.00435-0.087/(0-X1) = 1.17
X1 = 0.0707 lm mole A/lm mole water or x1 = 0.066 lb mole A /lb moles
 FLOW RATES
The gas and liquid rates: Lm,2
GC = 73.6*29 = 2134 lb/hr Gm,2
Ls Gc
GA,1 = 6.4*17 = 109 lb/hr
x2 y2
GA,2 = 0.32*(17) = 5.4 lb/hr
X2 T = const
Y2
LS = 86.1*18=1550 lb/hr P = const
LA,1 = GA= 109*0.95=104 lb/hr Cross-sectional
area, A

Therefore: dz
G1 = 2134 +109=2243 lb/hr bottom
L1 = 1550 +104 = 1654 lb/hr
Lm,1 Gm,1
G2 = 21345+5=2139 lb/hr top
L2=1550 + 0 = 1550 lb/hr top Ls Gc
x1 y1
X1 Y1
 TOWER AREA
To determine the tower area, we need to use Figure flooding
correlation plot.
Therefore we need to calculate gas and liquid phase densities
at the top and bottom of the tower. Since the ammonia
content is very low in liquid phase, use the density of pure
water, 62.3 lb/ft3 as the solution density through the tower.

For the gas phase assume ideal gas behavior:

= P/RT = MwP/RT
At the top: Mw= yiMi = 0.00435*17 + 0.9957*29 = 28.95
= 28.95*14.7/(10.73*528) = 0.075 lb/ft3
At the bottom Mw= 0.08*17 + 0.92*29 = 28.04
= 28.04*14.7/(10.73*528) = 0.0728 lb/ft3

Now calculate the abscissa of Flooding Figure

TOWER AREA
TOWER AREA
 PRESSURE DROP
Pressure drop can be determined from the flooding figure or from
an emprical equation
 DETERMINATION OF AN ABSORPTION
TOWER HEIGHT

Height of a packed tower = f(the overall resistance to mass transfer

between the gas and liquid phases, the average driving force and
interfacial area)
Consider a differential height of the absorber dZ. In height dZ, the
rate of mass transfer of species A

N A A( adZ )  d (Gm y )  Ad (G ' y )

a: interfacial area available to mass transfer per unit volume of the

packing
A: cross-sectional area of the tower
TOWER HEİGHT
N A A(adz) =d(Gm y) =Ad(G ' y)

K y a ( y AG  y *A ) dz  d (Gm ' y )
Gm ' dy Gm ' y
dZ  
K y a( y  y )
*
K G aP ( y  y * )

The equation can be also written for liquid resistance part.

TOWER HEİGHT
Gm ' y Gm ' y
dZ = *
=
K y a(y - y ) K G aP(y - y* )

To solve the above equation we can determine the overall value of

Kya (Kga) based on experimental “pilot plant” operated with a
certain packing and gas/liquid rate. The right side of the
equation can be integrated from the knowledge of the operating
line and equilibrium line chracteristics.
This method can be modified to deal with the “height of a transfer
unit” and “the number of transfer units” by modifiying the
equation somewhat
 TOWER HEİGHT

Gm ' dy Gm ' dy
dZ  
K y a( y  y )
*
K G aP ( y  y * )

To solve the above equation we can determine the overall value of

Kya (Kga) based on experimental “pilot plant” operated with a
certain packing and gas/liquid rate. The right side of the
equation can be integrated from the knowledge of the operating
line and equilibrium line chracteristics.
This method can be modified to deal with the “height of a transfer
unit” and “the number of transfer units” by modifiying the
equation somewhat
 Tower Height
The equation can be expressed in terms of height of
transfer unit (HTU ) and number of transfer units :

G 'm y1 dy
K OG aP yZ  y  y *
Z

HTU or NTU or
Hoy Noy

HTU is reaonably constant through the absorber and 52

has unit of length. NTU is dimensionless.

 x1, y1
For dilute gas
streams, transfer
unit equation can

110/11/15
be simplified:
x1, y1*

Aerosol & Particulate Research Lab

xZ , y Z
G 'm y1 dy
K OG aP yZ  y  y *
Z

xZ, yZ*

* *

Z=
G 'm
´
y1 - yz
; DyLM =
( y - y )- (y - y )
1 1 z z

KOG aP D yLM æ y - y* ö
ln ç 1 1* ÷
è yz - yz ø
53
 Pure amine 0.04% CO2
Lm = 0.46 gmole/s

Q: A Packed tower using organic amine at 14 oC to absorb CO2.

110/11/15
The entering gas contains 1.27% CO2 and is in equilibrium with a
solution of amine containing 7.3% mole CO2. The gas leaves
containing 0.04% CO2. The amine, flowing counter-currently,
enters pure. Gas flow rate is 2.31 gmole/s and liquid flow rate is

Aerosol & Particulate Research Lab

0.46 gmole/s. The tower’s cross-sectional area is 0.84 m2. KOGa
= 9.34×10-6 s-1atm-1cm-3. The pressure is 1 atm. Determine the
tower height that can achieve this goal.

1.27% CO2
Gm = 2.31

gmole/s
C* = 7.3%
CO2 in
amine
54
 Absorption of concentrated vapor
Mole balance on the controlled volume
x1 , y1

110/11/15
d d
0   (G 'm y )  ( L'm x)
dz dz

Aerosol & Particulate Research Lab

x1, y1*
Gas flux Liquid flux

 1   1 
G 'm  G 'm 0   L 'm  L 'm 0  
1 y  1 x 
xZ, yZ
 y1  L'm 0  x x1  xZ, yZ*
     
 1  y1  G 'm 0  1  x 1  x1 
y
 y1  L'm 0  x x1 
1       
 1  y1  G 'm 0  1  x 1  x1  55
 EXAMPLE
 A 1‐ft diameter packed column is used to scrub a soluble gas (MW =
22) from an air‐gas mixture. Pure water enters the top of the column
at 1000 lbm/hr. The entering gas stream contains 5% soluble gas and
95% air. Ninety‐five percent of the soluble gas is removed. Both the
operating line and equilibrium curve may be assumed to be straight.
The equation for the equilibrium curve is y = 1.2x, where x, y = mole
fractions. The entering gas mixture flow rate is 800 lbm/hr. The
column operates at 30 °C and 1 atm, and
 Kya = 4.29 lbmol/hr‐ft3‐Δy φ
EXAMPLE

 Calculate or find:
 a) Concentration of the soluble gas in the effluent liquid if the column is operated at minimum liquid flow rate
 b) Concentration of soluble gas in the liquid at a point in column where y = 0.02
 c) Height of packed section, ZT
 d) Hoy
 e) Whether columnis in danger of flooding if it is packed with 1⁄2‐in. ceramic Raschig rings
Solution
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