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2 Absorption QA
2 Absorption QA
2 Absorption QA
7. When will be the operating line and Equilibrium curve will be straight for an
absorber?
In an absorber, both equilibrium curve and operating line will be straight for dilute
solution and non isothermal operation.
8. What is the relation between the individual film coefficients and the overall mass
transfer coefficient?
1 1 H
= + &
KG K g Kl
1 1 1
= +
K L K l H Kg
where
KG = overall mass transfer coefficient based on gas phase
KL = overall mass transfer coefficient based on liquid phase.
Kg = gas film mass transfer coefficient
Kl = liquid film mass transfer coefficient, H = Henry’s law constant.
9. What condition HTU and HETP will be equal?
HETP is numerically equal to HTU, only when the operating line and equilibrium
lines are parallel.
1
10. What is the uses of co-current absorbers?
Co-current absorbers are usually used when the gas to be dissolved in the liquid is a
pure substance.
21. What is the Relation between overall and individual transfer units?
1 1 mG 1
= +
N LOG N LG L N LL
2
mG
H LOG = H LG + H LL
L
25. What happens when absorption with evolution of heat as compared to isothermal
absorption?
1. Decreased solute solubility.
2. Large minimum liquid to gas L
G( )
ratio.
3. Large number of trays.
26. In the absorption of NH3 in H20, the main resistance to absorption is by the gas
phase.
3
The operating line is cure when plotted in terms of mole fraction and partial pressure.
34. Where will the operating line lie in an stripper and absorber?
The operating line lies above the equilibrium curve in an absorber where as the
operating line lies below the equilibrium curve.
38. What is the formula for the number of equilibrium trays in terms of mole fraction of
an absorber?
y − mx0 1 1
Number of log Np +1 1 − +
y1 − mx0 A A
Equilibrium N P = log A
trays
4
43. The process employing desorption of the absorbed solute by a solvent is called
elution
45. Absorption factor method is used to calculate the number of ideal stages when the
operating and equilibrium lines are parallel.
5
PART – B
moles SO 2 Mole SO 2
Where y= ; x=
mole air Mole H 2O
If the packed height of the tower is 420 cm, Estimate the height of transfer unit
(HTU).
Solution
Average Molecular of SO2 – air mixture = xiMi
= 64 x 0.05 + 29 x 0.95 = 30.75
Inert gas rate = Total gas rate x gas in SO2 air mixture
= 162.6 x 0.95 = 154.5 kg mol/hr.
y1 5 5
y1 = = = = 0.0526
1 − y1 1 − 5 95
y2 0.15 0.15
y2 = = = = 0.015
1 − y2 1 − 0.15 99.85
Formula NTU =
( )
( y1 − ye1 ) − y2 − ye2
y1 − ye1
ln
y2 − ye2
Since, X2 = 0, ye2 = 0
6
0.0526 − 0.0015
NTU =
( 0.0526 − 0.021) − ( 0.0015)
0.0526 − 0.021
ln
0.0015
NTU = 5.17
Height of the tower = 420 cm
Solution:-
Insert flow rate = 1200 kg/hr m2
y 5 5
y1 = 1 = = = 0.0526
1 − y1 1 − 5 95
y
y2 = 2 = (1 − 0.98 ) y1 = (1 − 0.98 ) 0.0526 = 0.001
1 − y2
Equilibrium relation is y = 1.154 x which can be rewritten as formula
y = 1.154 x
ye y
= 1.154
1 + ye 1+ x
When y = 0.0526, value of x from the above is 0.0453. This corresponds to minimum liquid
rate.
y1 − y2 0.0526 − 0.001
( ) (
y1 − ye1 − y2 − ye2 ) NTU =
( 0.0526 − 0.0421) − ( 0.001 − 0 )
NTU = 0.0526 − 0.0421
y1 − ye1 ln
ln 0.001
y2 − ye2
NTU = 12.76
3. A mixture containing 10% solute and rest insert is fed to a packed tower in which
90% if the solute is absorbed solute free H2O used for absorption contains 5% solute
when it leaves the tower at the bottom. If the equilibrium relationship is ye = 0.05 Xe and
Hy = 0.5 m and Hx = 0.4 m, what is the height of the packed section.
Solution:
10
y1 = = 0.1111
90
10
y2 = y = 0.0111
90
x2 = 0
5
x1 = = 0.0526
95
ye1 = 0.05 e
= 0.05 x 0.0526
= 0.0026
8
0.1111 − 0.0111
NTU =
( 0.1111 − 0.0026 ) − ( 0.0111 − 0 )
0.1111 − 0.0026
ln
0.1111
NTU = 2.34
Formula:
G
(HTU)OG = (HTU)g + m (HTU)l
L
which is also identical to
mG
(HTU)G = (HTU)g + (HTU)l
L
mG
(HTU)G = Hg + Hx
L
m = 0.05; Hg = 0.5m; Hx = 0.4 m
G(y1 – y2) = L(x1 – x2) = LX1
G X1 0.0526
= = = 0.526
L y1 − y2 0.1111 − 0.0111
9
c
kg NH 3
x = 17 = 0.0106c where C is
100 100 kg H 2O
18
The equilibrium relation in terms of y and x are calculated from Pg and c and tabulated as
y2 = 0.02y1 = 0.0004
NTU =
( 0.0204 − 0.0095 ) − ( 0.0004 − 0 )
= 6.3
0.0204 − 0.0095
ln
0.0004
40.89
HTU = = 0.655 metre
62.39 1
Height for absorption = HTU x NTU = 0.655 x 6.3 = 4.13 meter.
.12
.10
.08
.06
y .04
.02
0 .2 .4 .6 .8 .1 .12
x
Equilibrium Relation
Solution:
Average Molecular wt of gas mixture = 0.02 x 58 + 0.98 x 29 = 29.58
450
Gas rate = = 15.21 kg mol/hr
29.58
Inert gas rate = 15.21 x 0.98 = 14.91 kg mol/hr
2
y1 = = 0.0204
98
y2 = 0.04 y1 = 0.0008
Equilibrium relation is y = 2.5 x
Which can be written in terms of mole rated as
y x
= 2.5
1+ y 1+ x
y = 0.0204; x = 0.0081
14.91 x (0.0204 – 0.0008) = Lmin x 0.0081
Lm = 36.08 kg mol/hr
Actual liquid rate = 1.2 Lmin = 1.2 x 36.08 = 43.3 kg mol/hr
Actual composition of outgoing liquor
14.91( 0.0204 − 0.0008)
= = 0.0067
43.3
From Equilibrium relation
ye1 0.0067
= 2.5
1 + ye1 1 + 0.0067
ye1 = 0.0173
0.0204 − 0.0008
NTU = = 11.5
( 0.0204 − 0.0173) − ( 0.0008)
0.0204 − 0.0173
ln
0.0008
Where
G = lb/hrft2 (gas) = lb/hr ft2 (liquid)
= viscosity = 0.82 cp; (NSC)g = Schmidt number for gas phase = 1.6 (NSC)l =
Schmidt number for liquid phase = 690. Calculate the height of packed tower.
Solution:
2
y1 = = 0.0204
98
0.2
y2 = = 0.002
99.8
y = 2.53 x is the equilibrium relation
G = 160 kg/hr m2 = 32.77 lb/hr ft2
L = 290 kg/hr m2 = 59.40 lb/hr ft2
HG = 6.41 G0.32 L-0.51 (NSC)g0.50 = 6.41 (32.77)0.32 (59.4)-0.51 (1.6)0.5 = 3.08
0.22
L 59.4
0.22
( N SC )l = 0.01 ( 690 )
0.5 0.50
HL = 0.01
( 2.42 ) 0.82 2.42
= 0.555
Average Molecular wt of gas = 0.02 x 58 + 0.98 x 29 = 29.58
160
Total gas rate = = 5.409 kg mol/hr m2.
29.58
GH = 0.98 x 5.409 = 5.301 kg mol / hr m2
Liquid rate = 290 kg / hr m2 = 16.11 kg mol / hr m2.
From solute balance,
GM (y1 – y2) = Lx1
G
x1 = M ( y1 − y2 )
L
5.301
= ( 0.0204 − 0.002 )
16.11
GH x1
= = 0.329
L y1 − y2
m = 2.53
mGH
( HTU )G = H G + HL = 3.08 + 2.53 x 0.329 x 0.555 = 3.54’ = 1.08 m
L
y1 − y2 0.0204 − 0.002
NTU = =
(y − y )−(y
1 e1 2 − ye2 ) ( 0.0204 − 0.0153) − ( 0.002 − 0 )
y1 − ye1 0.0204 − 0.0153
ln ln
y2 − ye2 0.002
13
NTU = 5.56
7. Determine the minimum liquid rate needed, the CO2 using out of a fermenter
contains 0.01 mole fraction of ethanol, which has to be reduced to 0.0001 mole fraction
by scrubbing with H2O in a countercurrent packed tower. The gas flow rate is 227.3
kmol/hr2 may be assumed constant throughout the tower. The equilibrium mole
fraction of ethanol in the gas phase y* is related that in the liquid x as y* = 1.07 x and
the number of overall gas-side transfer units needed at 1.5 times the minimum liquid
rate. The entering liquid may be assumed to be free of ethanol?
Solution:
Mole fraction x, y and mole ratio x, y are related as
y x
y= &x=
1+ y 1+ x
In reverse,
y x
y= &x=
1− y 1− x
Equilibrium relation becomes
y* x
= 1.07
1+ y * 1+ x
Investing the above equation
1+ y * 1 1+ x
=
y* 1.07 x
1 1 1
= + −1
y * 1.07 x 1.07
0.9346
= − 0.0654
x
0.9346 − 0.0654 x
=
x
Inverting again
x
y* =
0.9346 − 0.0654 x
Nature of curve
y2 x2
G2 L2
y
operating line
14
Equilibrium curve
X
These values indicates that, the equilibrium curve in terms of mole ratios y* vs X is concave
upward. The operating line y vs x is straight line. The minimum liquid gas ratio then
corresponds to an exit liquid concentration in equilibrium with the entering gas
0.01
Entering mole ratio of gas y1 = = 0.0101
1 − 0.01
Exit liquid concentration x2* in equilibrium with y, is obtained from equation
x
y* =
0.9846 − 0.0654 x
x2*
0.0101 =
0.9346 − 0.0654 x2*
0.00944 – 0.00066 x2* = x2*
x2* = 0.00943
0.0101 − 0.0001
Lmin = 227.3
0.00943 − 0
= 241.04 kmol/hr
Absorption factor A:
15
y − mx2 1 1
ln 1 1 − +
y2 − mx2 A A
N LOG =
1
1−
A
Substituting for the values
0.01
ln (1 − 0692 ) + 0.692
0.0001
N LOG =
1 − 0.692
= 11.2
8. Equilibrium relationship for the system heptane- oil – air is gn by y = 2x (y and x are
kg heptane / kg – air and kg – heptane/ kg oil respectively). Oil containing 0.005 kg
heptane / kg oil is being used as solvent for reducing the heptane content of air from
0.10 to 0.02 kg – heptane / kg air in a continuous counter current packed bed absorber.
What column height is required to treat 1400 kg / hrm2 of empty lower cross section) of
pure air containing heptane if the overall gas mass transfer coefficient is 320 kg/hr
m3y. The oil rate employed is 3100 kg/hr m2.
Solution:
Material balance for absorber:
1 1+ y2
y
dy
NLOG = y−y
y2
*
+ ln
2 1 + y1
− − − −(2)
Where
becomes Y1 dy 1 1+ y2
= + ln − − − −(3)
NtoG Y2
6.2143x + 0.0089 2 1 + y1
Using this & changing the integration limits items of x Eqn (3) becomes
1+ x2
X1
2.2143dx 1
NtoG = 0.2143 0.0089 + 2 ln 1 + x
X2 1
using
2.2143 0.2143x1 0.0089 1 1 + x 2
NtoG = ln + ln − − − (4)
0.2143 0.2143x 2 0.0089 2 1 + x1
Gs
HtoG = − − − − − (5)
K y a(1 − y) M
Where
Kya = overall gas phase mass transfer coefficient (1-y) *M = mean of logarithmic
average of (1-y) & (1-y*) between terminals of lower, gn as
17
1 (1 − y*)1 − (1 − y*)1 (1 − y 2 )2 − (1 − y*)2
(1 − y) * M = + − − − (6)
2 (1 − y)1 (1 − y 0 )2
ln ln
(1 − y*) (1 − y*)2
from the diagram shown, it can be visualized that when
Y1 = 0.02 Y1* = 0
Y2 = 0.1 Y2* = 2 x 0.04113 = 0.08226
1 (1 − 0.02) − 1 (1 − 01) − (1 − 0.08226)
(1 − y) M = +
2 1 − 0.02 1 − 0.1
ln ln
1 1 − 0.08226
= (0.5)(0.99 + 0.9088) = 0.9494
Solution:
Kx = 22 Kg mol/hr m2 (x=1) = kl
KY = 1.07 Kg mol/hr m2 (y=1) = kg
P* = HC = 0.08 x 106 mmHg = 105.26 x atm
H = 105.26
1 1 1
i) = +
Kx Kx H Kg
1 1
= + = 0.0539
22 105.26 x 1.07
Kx = 18.55 kg mol/m 2h
18
1 1 H
IIIly = +
Ky Ky Kx
1 105.26
= +
1.07 22
1
= 5.715
kg
ky = 0.175 kg mol/m2h
Rx 1/ Kx 0.0539
ii) = + = 0.0094
Ry 1/ Ky 5.715
10. A tower packed with 0.5 cm Ranching rings of 12 metre height is to be used for
absorption of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from natural gas (may be treated as mellane), by
using mono ethanolamine as a solvent. The operation in carried out at 30 0C 1atm
pressure & counter currently. The entering gas contains 18% H2S by volume 90% of
this to be absorbed. The gas flow rate is 200 m3 /m2 hr
Equilibrium line is straight in the operating limits and is given by y = 1.1x
Operating line is also straight and parallel to equilibrium line.
• Find the liquid flow rate
• Find the number of stages & HETP
•
Solution:
H = Height of the absorber = 12 m
P = 1 atmosphere; T = 300C
Average molecular wt of islet gas = ximi = 0.18 x 34 + 0.82 x 16 = 19.24
Taking ideal gas law to be valid
Pv 1 2000
n= =
RT 0.082(273 + 30)
= 80.5 kg mol/hr m2
inert rate = 80.5 0.82 = 66.01 kg moles/hr m2
18
Y1 = = 0.22
2
Y2 = 0.1,X1 = 0.022
Equation for equilibrium line in
Ye = 1.1 c (lineA)
Operating line in parallel to the above line The equation is
Y = 1.1 +c Where c=1/2
Equation for operating line in
Y = 1.1 +0.022 (line B)
X2 = 0
Y2 = 0.022
For Y1 = 0.22
X1 = 0.18
11. In an experiment 200 liters of air So2 mixture per minute in scrubbed continuously
by H20 in counter. Current fashion is a packed lower. The mixture contains 10%, So2
by volume and is admitted at 200C & 1000 mm Hg pressure into the lower, during
absorption the lower temperature is maintained constants at 200C by means of cooling
arrangement. Determine the lower diameter required for absorbing 95% of So2. It
may be assumed that the height of the lower may have no limitation. Vapour pressure
of So2 over aqueous So2 Solution at 200C is given below:
%conc of So2 in water 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 10
Partial pr of So2 mm Hg 26 59 123 191 336 698
Maximum allowable flow rate of H2O is 200 litres per/hr/m2.
Solution:
The equilibrium data are to be converted to its conventional form
0.5
mole SO2 64 = 0.0014
X= =
mole H2O 99.5
18
mole SO2 Partial pf of SO2
Y= =
mole air Partial pr of air
26
= = 0.0267
1000 − 26
In the above manner, the values are converted & the equilibrium relationship is obtained as
20
under.
The values are plotted
10
Y1 = = 0.111
90
Y2 = 0.05
Y1 = 0.0055
P = 1000mmHg; T=293K
PU 1000 0.2
n= =
RT 760 ( 0.082 293 )
= 0.011Kg mole/min
Since there is no limitation for scrubber height, minimum liquid can be used when minimum
liquid is used, the liquid concentration is obtained from the equilibrium plot.
X1 = 0.004n from the graph (corresponding to Y10.111)
Over all transfer equation is
GM ( Y1 − Y2 )
LM =
K1
0.01( 0.111 − 0.0055 )
=
0.0045
= 0.231kgmol / min
200
Maximum flow rate of H2O = 200 lit/hrm2 = = 0.185kg mole/min m2
60 18
0.231
Cross – sectional area of the scrubber = = 1.249m2
0.185
1.249 9
Scrubber diameter = = 1.25metre
0.24
0.20
0.16
0.12
Y1
0.08
0.04 21
The equilibrium distribution curve is straight in some case & ratio of mass – transfer
coefficients is constant that the OU & convenient.
Z = NtoGHtoG
y1
(1 − y ) * Mdy
NtoG = (1 − y )(1 − y * )
y2
1 1− y2
y1
dy
NtoG = y − y * + 2 ln 1 − y
y2 1
1 1+ y2
y1
dy
NtoG =
y2
+ ln
y − y * 2 1 + y1
G G G
HtoG = = =
FoGa
K y a (1 − y ) * M K GaPt (1 − y ) * M
Where y* (or y*) is the solute concentration in the gas corresponding to equilibrium with the
bulk liquid concentration x (or x), so that y – y* ( or y-y*) is the vertical distance between
operating line & equilibrium curve (1-y) * M is the logarithmic average of 1 – y & 1-y*
For cases where the principal mass – transfer resistance ties within the liquid, it is
more convenient to use.
22
Z = NtoLHtoL
x1
(1 − x ) * Mdx
NtoL = (1 − x )( x * −x )
x2
1 − x1
x1
dx 1
NtoL = x * −x + 2 ln 1 − x
x2 2
1 + x1
x1
dx 1
NtoL = x * −x + 2 ln 1 + x
x2 2
L L
HtoL = = a
FOL Kx (1x ) * M
a
L
=
K Lac (1 − x ) * M
G G (1 − y ) iM mG L (1 − x ) iM
= +
FoGa
FGa (1 − y ) * M L FLa (1 − y ) * M
HtoG = HtG
(1− y ) iM + mG H (1 − x ) iM
(1− y ) * M L tL (1 − y ) * M
If the mass transfer resistance in the gas yi y*
HtoG = HtG +
MG
HtL
(1− x ) iM
L (1− y ) * M
23
For dilute solution
HtoL = HtL
(1− x ) iM + L H (1− y ) iM
(1− x ) * M mG tG (1− x ) * M
For mass transfer resistance is essentially all in the liquid
HtoL = HtL +
L
HtG
(1− y ) iM
mG (1− x ) * M
Different gases and liquids separate solubility curves, which must be determined
experimentally for each system. If the equilibrium pressure of a gas at a given liquid
concentration is high as in the case of curves the gas is said to be relatively in soluble in the
liquid, while if it is low as for curve C, the solubility is said to be high.
The solubility of any gas in influenced by the temperature in a manner by van’t Hoff’s
law of mobile equilibrium. If the temperature of a system at equilibrium is raised, that
change will occur which will absorb heat. The solution of a gas results in an evolution of
heat & it follows that in most cases the solubility of a gas decreases with increasing temp.
Curve A for NH3 in H2O at 30C lies above the corresponding curve for 10C. At the boiling
pt of the solvent, its vapour pressure in less than that of the gas or vapor solute, the gas
solubility will be zero. The solubility of many of the low – molecular wt gases such as H2,
O2, N2, N2, CH4 & others in H2O increases with increases with increased temperature above
100C & pr above atmospheric.
15. Gas from a petroleum distillation column has its concentration of H2S reduced from
0.03 K mol H2S per kmol inert hydrocarbon gas to 1% of this value by scrubbing with a
trial than of amine H2O solvent in a counter current tower of height 7.79 m operating at
300 K & atmospheric pressure.
The equilibrium relation may be taken as Y = 2X where,
Kmol H2 S Kmol H2 S
Y= ,X=
Kmol inert gas Kmol solvent
Pure solvent enters the lower & leaves containing 0.013 K mol solvent.
If the flow of inert hydrocarbon gas in 0.015 K mol/m2s & gas phase resistance controls
the process, calculate the overall coefficients for absorption KGa
Solution:
Y1 = 0.03, Y2 = 0.01, Y1 = 0.0003, T = 300 K, P = 1 atm, X2 = 0
Ye2 = 0, X1 = 0.013
25
Y1 − Y2
NTU =
( Y1 − Ye1 ) − ( Y2 − Ye2 )
Y − Ye1
ln 1
Y2 − Ye2
=
( 0.03 − 0.0003 )
( 0.03 − 0.026 ) − ( 0.0003 − 0 )
0.03 − 0.026
ln
0.0003
NTU = 20.79
7.79 7.79
HTU = =
NTU 20.79
= 0.375
GM
HTU =
K GaPT
GM = 0.015
0.015
K Ga = = 0.04 Kmol
0.375 Sm3atm
= 144 K mol
hrm3atm
16. A packed tower in designed to recover 98% CO2 from a gas mixture containing 10%
CO2 & 90% air using H2O. A relation y = 14x, can be used for equilibrium conditions
kg CO2 kg CO2
where y is & x is .
kg dry air kg H2O
The H2O to gas rate is kept 30% more than the minimum value. Calculate the height of
the tower if (HTU) OG is 1 metre.
Solution:
10
Y1 = = 0.1111
90
10
Y2 = 0.02 = 0.0022
90
X2 = 0
Y = 14x ( in mole fraction )
26
y x
44 = 14 44
1 1
29 18
Y = 8.69 ( x,y are mole ratio )
Ye1 = 8.69X1
= 8.69 0.0098
Y1 − Y2
NTU =
( Y1 − Ye1 ) − ( Y2 − Ye2 )
Y − Ye1
ln 1
Y2 − Ye2
0.1111 − 0.0022
=
( 0.1111 − 0.085 ) − ( 0.0022 − 0 )
0.1111 − 0.085
ln
0.0022
NTU = 11.29
Height = NTU HTU
=1.0 11.29=11.29m
27
17.A packed tower is to be designed to absorb sulfur dioxide from air by scrubbing the gas
with water. The entering gas is 20% SO2 by volume and the leaving gas is to contain 0.5%
SO2 by volume. The entering water is SO2 free. The water flow is to be twice the minimum.
The air flow rate (SO2 free basis) is 975 kg/hr m2. The temperature is 30oC and the total
pressure is 2 atm. The equilibrium data is governed by y = 21.8 x where y and x are in mole
fraction units. Compute the number of overall gas phase transfer units. (GK Roy)
Solution :
Y1 = 20 / (100-20) = 0.25
Y2 = 0.5 / 99.5 = 0.005
X2 = 0
Gs = 975 kg/hr m2 = 975/29 = 33.81kgmoles/hr m2
28
29