2/6/2011

Economic Analysis
ChE 216 • Direct Cost, CD = Cost of solvent
• Fixed Cost, CF = Cost of maintenance and depreciation
Optimization in Gas Absorption
Determination of the Optimum Superficial gas
velocity (GSopt) TotalCosts
CT=CF+CD
Annual Cost, C
Direct
Evelyn R. Laurito CTmin Costs, CD
University of Santo Tomas
Fixed
GSopt Costs, CF
Superficial gas velocity (GS)
2/6/2011 ChE 522 Plant Design Evelyn R. Laurito 1 2/6/2011 ChE 522 Plant Design Evelyn R. Laurito 2

Example
Example
Consider a gas absorption tower
Solvent
A packed gas absorption tower shall treat 2000 m3/min of SO2-air mixture (MW ave = 29.1) No of Transfer Units = 0.32GS 1.8
at 120oC and 1.1 atm . The height of a transfer unit is 5 m and the number of transfer units GS in kg/hrm2
Is related to the gas mass transfer velocity Gs (kg/hr-m2) by the equation: N = 0.32 Gs1.8. Height of a transfer unit = 5 m
The cost of the installed tower is $35/m3 of inside volume. Take KF = 0.2 and Hy = 8000. Cost of installed tower
= $35/m3 of inside volume
The direct costs in $/hr is related to Gs by the equation: 1.8 x 10-8Gs2 + 81/Gs + 4.8/Gs0.8 KF =0.2 Hy=8000 h/yr
Determine: a) Optimum Height of Tower b) Optimum Diameter of Tower Direct Costs, $/hr
81 4.8
 1.8G S x 10 8  
2

Air – SO2 G S G S 0.8

2000m3/min Gas
Required at optimum conditions
120oC
1.1 atm Height of Tower
Mwave=29.1 Diameter of tower
2/6/2011 ChE 522 Plant Design Evelyn R. Laurito 3 2/6/2011 ChE 522 Plant Design Evelyn R. Laurito 4