1.

Results and Calculations

Process = Absorption
Air flow rate = 40min/L
CO2 flow rate = 6min/L
Liquid flow rate = 4min/L
M2, Concentration of NaOH = 0.05mol/L
V1, Volume of CO2 = 100mL

M1, Concentration
V2, Volume of NaOH for
Time (Min) for CO2 present,
titration, (mL)
(Mol/L)
5 15.3 0.00765
10 15.7 0.00785
15 16.3 0.00815
20 17.6 0.0088
25 18.4 0.0092
30 19.2 0.0096
35 20.1 0.01005
40 21.6 0.0108
45 22.15 0.011075
50 23.65 0.011825
55 23.65 0.011825
60 23.65 0.011825
1. Calculation of M1, Concentration for CO2 present (mol/L)

M1V1 = M2V2

Where:
M1 = Concentration of CO2 (mol/L)
M2 = Concentration of NaOH (mol/L)
V1 = Volume of CO2 (L)
V2 = Volume of NaOH (L)

Sample calculation when t= 5min

 M1V1 = M2V2
M1(100mL) = (0.05mol/L) (15.1mL)
M1 = 0.00765 mol/L

2. Plot the graph of CO2 composition in the inlet water flow as a function of time.

Time vs Concentration for CO2 present

Concentration for CO2 present, ( Mol/L)

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.01

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

3. From the graph plotted, calculate the rate of absorption of CO2.

0.011825−0.00765
Rate of absorption = = 7.591×10-5 mol/L.min
60−5

2. Discussion

The experiment studies on how to be absorbed carbon dioxide from the air with
deionized water using a packed column. After the experiment conducted, the composition
of carbon dioxide in the water is examined by titrating sodium hydroxide. The indicator
for neutralizing the reaction of absorbed carbon dioxide to sodium hydroxide was utilized
as phenolphthalein. A titration is a laboratory technique that very accurately measures the
concentration of a solution of acid or base. It makes use of a neutralization reaction and
the fact that pH changes very rapidly for neutral solutions. The technique was applied in
the experiment because the carbon dioxide absorbed in water turns the water into acidic,
eventually sodium hydroxide is a base react together and neutralized the solution.
Phenolphthalein as an indicator was colorless when the pH of the solution neutral. The
indicator was first introduced to the absorber carbon dioxide water, phenolphthalein
colorless in acidic medium. Then the phenolphthalein color slowly became a pink colored
solution, when the sodium hydroxide solution introduced into the acid solution. The
titration halted soon when the solution transformed to a distinct pink color, the change of
color indicates that the titration was completed.

In order to compute the carbon dioxide concentration in water, the volume of

sodium hydroxide used during a titration was recorded and applied in the equation:
M1V1=M 2V2. The plot shows the concentration of carbon dioxide present in water over
time, which shows that carbon dioxide concentration in the water is increasing over time.
At 50th minute, the concentration progressively approaches a constant value which shows
the saturation composition of carbon dioxide in water is 0.011825 mol/L. Once the
saturation point is reached, the water no longer absorbs carbon dioxide because the water
reached its maximum capacity to receive the carbon dioxide. Thus, CO2 in the water
stream remains at constant value.

From the graph plotted, the rate of absorption was calculated by determined the
gradient of the line which is 7.591×10-5 mol/L.min. This experiment can relate in the real-
life industrial application on how it is important to treat contaminated air before release
into the atmosphere. The gases release from the industries contained air pollutants like
carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and fly ash which can affects the air pollution
index, global warming, acid rain, respiratory health problems etc. The industry players
should be responsible on this task to provide a better environment to future generation.