Stripper Design:

Stripper:
“It is a counter current multi-stage separation column, with liquid feed at top and vapor feed at
the bottom stage”.

Stripping Phenomenon:
Stripping is a mass transfer operation that involves the transfer of a solute (as H2S & CO2 in our
case) from the liquid phase to the gas phase.

Stripping Agents:
Air
 Stream
 Inert gas
 Hydrocarbon gases
 Reboiled vapors (as in our case)

Types of Stripper:
Refluxed Stripper:
It is employed if simple stripping is not sufficient to achieve the desired separation and
contacting trays are needed above the feed tray.

Reboiled Stripper:
If the bottom product from a stripper is thermally stable, it may be Reboiled at the bottom of
the column.

Open steam/Air stripper:

Direct steam may also be used. Sometimes air or inert gases may also be used
(Combination of above can be made based on system’s requirement)
Principle of separation: difference in volatilities
 Created or added phase: vapor
 Separating agent: stripping vapor
 Standard
Calculation of

Theoretical number of stages.

1) Actual number of stages.
2) Diameter of column.
3) Weeping point.
4) Pressure drop.
5) Downcomer design.
6) Entrainment calculations.
7) Height of column

1-Calculation of theoretical number of stages:43

Fraction of stripped = Esi = 0.998

𝑉 𝐸𝑠𝑖
Minimum V/L for TEG=(𝐿0) min = 𝐾𝑖
Value of K depends on T & P.

So, average tower conditions for value of ki:

T = 390.2°F

P = 1 atm=14.7 psia.

36Ki =2

𝑉 𝐸𝑠𝑖 0.998
So, (𝐿0) min = = = 0.499
𝐾𝑖 2

𝑉 𝑉
Operating (𝐿0) = 1.25 (𝐿0) min

= 1.25*0.499
= 0.62375
Operating stripping factor
𝑉
Si = (𝐿0) Operating * Ki = 0. 62375 * 2 = 1.2475
Theoretical stages at operating conditions
Esi=SiN+1-Si / SiN+1-1
0.988 = ((1.2475) N+1- 1.2475 ) / ( (1.2475) N+1- 1)
1.2475−0.998
(N+1) Log(1.2475) = Log( )
1−0.998
2.09604
N+1 = = 21.82
0.09604

N = 20.824
It means 21 theoretical trays are needed.

Calculation of Actual Number of stages: .1

We take 70% efficiency.
So,
𝟐𝟏
Actual number of stages = 𝟎.𝟕

= 30 stages.

Calculation of diameter of column:37 .2

Flooding velocity is given by

𝜌𝑙−𝜌𝑣
Uf = 𝐾1√ 𝜌𝑣

Where,
Uf = Flooding vapor velocity in m/s , base on net column cross-sectional area.
K1 = Constant obtained from figure 11.27 vol.6 Coulson & Richardson
𝐿𝑤 𝜌𝑣
Flv = 𝑉𝑤 √ 𝜌𝑖

Where,
Lw =Liquid mass Flow rate , Kg / hr
Vw = Vapour mass Flow rate , , Kg / hr
In this case, In this Case,
Lw = 37830.5395 Kg / hr = 10.5048 Kg /S from Material Balance on stripper
Vw =1273.257329 Kg / hr = 0.3530 Kg /S from Energy Balance on stripper
Pv = 0.6 Kg/m3
PL = 1100 Kg/m3

10.5084 0.6
Flv = 0.35368 √ = 0.6939
1100

We use Plate Spacing 800mm = 0.8 m

38K = .051 Vol.6 (fig. 11.27)
1

1100−0.6
Then, = 0.051√ 0.6

Uf =2.183 m/s
We take actual velocity as 85% of flooding velocity
So, Uv = 0.85 x 2.183
= 1.8556 m/s
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟
Maximum volumetric vapor flow rate = 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟

0.35368
= 0.583 m3/s 0.6

𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒

A net = 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

0.583
m2= 1.8556 = 0.314
0.62