SAPERATION 1

Ass. Prof. Adnan Ripin

Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

PHASE SEPARATION
ABSORPTION PROCESS
 ABSORPTION
GAS – LIQUID SYSTEM
ABSORPTION
• mass transfer process
• separating a solute (A) or several solutes from a
gas phase by contacting the gas with a liquid
phase
• eg. absorbing NH3 from air using liquid water,
Acetone from air using liquid water
• liquid phase is immiscible in the gas phase

STRIPPING/DESORPTION
• solute is removed from a liquid by contacting it
with a gas
 GAS-LIQUID EQUILIBRIUM
Henry’s laws:
pA = HxA or yA = H’xA

where
pA = partial pressure of component A (atm)
H= Henry’s law constant (atm/mol fraction) in Appendix A.3-18
H’ = Henry’s law constant (mol fraction gas/mol fraction liquid) = H/P
xA = mole fraction of component A in liquid
yA = mole fraction of component A in gas = pA/P
P= total pressure (atm)
 SINGLE-STAGE EQUILIBRIUM CONTACT
yA1 yA2

xA0 xA1
Liquid & gas phases are brought into contact and separated
Long enough for equilibrium
Gas phase – solute A & inert gas B
Liquid phase – solute A & inert liquid/solvent C
Total material balance: L0 + V2 = L1 + V1
Balance on A: L0xA0 + V2yA2 = L1xA1 + V1yA1
Balance on A can also be written as
L’ + V’ = L’ + V’
where L’ = moles inert C
V’ = moles inert B
A gas mixture at 1.0 atm pressure abs containing
air and CO2 is contacted in a single stage mixer
continuously with pure water at 293 K. The two
exit gas and liquid streams reach equilibrium. The
inlet gas flow rate is 100 kg-mol/h, with a mole
fraction of CO2 of yA2 = 0.20. The liquid flow
rate entering is 300 kg-mol water/h.

Calculate the amounts and composition of two

outlet phase. Assume that water does not
vaporize to the gas phase.
 V1, yA1 V2 = 100 kmol/h
1 atm
yA2=0.2
L0 = 300 kmol/h 293K L1

xA0 = 0 xA1

7
 Example 10.3-1
V1, yA1 V2 = 100 kmol/h
1 atm
yA2=0.2
L0 = 300 kmol/h 293K L1

xA0 = 0 xA1
Gas phase= CO2 + air
Inert C = pure water
Balance on A: L0xA0 + V2yA2 = L1xA1 + V1yA1
Balance on A can also be written as
L’ + V’ = L’ + V’
where
L’ = moles water =L0 (1-xA0) = 300 (1-0) = 300 kmol/h
V’ = moles air = V2 (1-yA2) = 100 (1-0.2) = 80 kmol/h

300 + 80 = 300 + 80
 Example 10.3-1
300 + 80 = 300 + 80 (1)

At 293K, Henry’s law constant from App. A.3-18 = 0.142 x 104 atm/mol frac.
yA1 = H’xA1 = (H/P)xA1 = 0.142 x 104xA1 (2)
Substitue yA1 = 0.142 x 104xA1 into eq. (1):

300 + 80 = 300 + 80

Solving for xA1: xA1 = 1.41 x 10-4

Substituting xA1 = 1.41 x 10-4 into eq. (2):
yA1 = 0.142 x 104 (1.41 x 10-4) = 0.2
Outlet flow rates: L’ =L1 (1-xA1) = L1 (1-1.41 x 10-4) = 300 kmol/h
V’ = V1 (1-yA1) = V1 (1-0.2) = 80 kmol/h
L1= 300 kmol/h
V1= 100 kmol/h
COUNTERCURRENT MULTIPLE-CONTACT STAGES

Total number of ideal stages = N

Total material balance:

L0 + VN+1 = LN + V1

Balance on A:

L0xA0 + VN+1yAN+1 = LNxAN + V1yA1

Balance on A can also be written as

L’ + V’ = L’ + V’

operating line
 COUNTERCURRENT MULTIPLE-CONTACT STAGES

Graphical determination of N:

Dilute Concentrated
It is desired to absorb 90% of the acetone in a gas
containing 1.0 mol% acetone in air a countercurrent
stage tower. The total inlet gas flow to the tower is 30.0
kg-mol/h, and the total inlet pure water flow to be used
to absorb the acetone is 90 kg-mol/h. The process is to
operate isothermally at 300 K and a total pressure of
101.3 kPa. The equilibrium relation for the acetone (A)
in the gas-liquid is yA = 2.53xA. Determine the number
of theoretical stages required for the separation.
 300K, 101.3 kPa
VN+1 = 30 kmol/h

yAN+1 = 0.01

xA0 =0
L0 = 90 kmol/h 90% acetone absorb

A = acetone, B = air, C = water

13
 Example 10.3-2
VN+1 = 30
yAN+1 = 0.01
kmol/h
L0 = 90 kmol/h
xA0 =0
300K, 101.3 kPa A = acetone, B = air, C = water 90% acetone absorb
Acetone in VN+1 = 0.01(30) = 0.3 kmol/h
Acetone in LN = 0.9(0.3) = 0.27 kmol/h
Balance of Acetone in V1 = 0.03 kmol/h
Entering air = 30 – 0.3 = 29.7 kmol/h
Entering water= 90 kmol/h
V1 = 29.7 + 0.03 = 29.73 kmol/h
yA1 = 0.03/29.73 = 0.00101
LN = 90 + 0.27 = 90.27 kmol/h
xAN = 0.27/90.27 = 0.003
 Example 10.3-2
V1 = 29.73 kmol/h VN+1 = 30 kmol/h
yA1 = 0.00101 yAN+1 = 0.01
L0 = 90 kmol/h LN = 90.27 kmol/h
xA0 =0 xAN = 0.003

Given: equlibrium relation for acetone-water : yA = 2.53 xA

N theoretical stages = 5.2

 ANALYTICAL/ KREMSER EQUATION
V1 VN+1
yA1 yAN+1
L0 LN
xA0 xAN

Kremser equations – valid only when operating & equilibrium lines are straight
Absorption:

where
m = slope of equilibrium line
A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1AN)
A1=L0/(mV1)
AN = LN/(mVN+1)

When A = 1
 ANALYTICAL/ KREMSER EQUATION
V1 VN+1
yA1 yAN+1
L0 LN
xA0 xAN

Stripping:

where
m = slope of equilibrium line
A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1AN)
A1=L0/(mV1)
AN = LN/(mVN+1)

When A = 1
 Example 10.3-3
V1 = 29.73 kmol/h VN+1 = 30 kmol/h
yA1 = 0.00101 yAN+1 = 0.01
L0 = 90 kmol/h LN = 90.27 kmol/h
xA0 =0 xAN = 0.003
Given: equlibrium relation for acetone-water : yA = 2.53 xA

A1=L0/(mV1) = 90/(2.53x29.73) = 1.2

AN = LN/(mVN+1) = 90.27/(2.53x30) = 1.19

A = √(A1AN) = √(1.2 x 1.19) = 1.95

∴N = 5.04
A tray tower is to be used to remove 99% of the
ammonia from an entering air stream containing 6 mol
% ammonia at 293K and 1.013 x 105 Pa. the entering
pure water flow rate is 188 kg H2O/h.m2 and the
inert air flow is 128 kg air/h.m2. Calculate the number
of theoretical trays needed.
PACKED TOWER
 PRESSURE DROP & FLOODING IN PACKED TOWERS

Loading point – gas starts to hinder liquid downflow

- local accumulations of liquid start to appear in packing

Flooding point – liquid no longer flow downward

- blown out with the gas

Actual operation – gas velocity below flooding

Optimum economic gas velocity = half or more of the flooding velocity

 PRESSURE DROP IN RANDOM PACKINGS
Prediction of pressure drop in random packings:

where:
υG = superficial gas velocity (ft/s) = GG/ρG
GL = liquid mass velocity (Ibm/s.ft2)
ρG = gas density (Ibm/ft )
3

GG = gas mass velocity (Ibm/s.ft2)

ρL = liquid density (Ibm/ft )3

Accuracy = ± 11%
Fp = packing factor (ft-1) in Table 10.6-1
v = kinematic viscosity (centstokes) = μL/(ρL/62.4)
μ L= liquid viscosity (cp)
PRESSURE DROP IN STRUCTURED PACKING
 FLOODING PRESSURE DROP IN PACKED & STRUCTURED
PACKINGS

Prediction of limiting pressure drop at flooding:

ΔPflood = 0.115FP0.7

where:
ΔPflood = pressure drop at flooding (in. H2O/ft height of packing)
Fp = packing factor (ft-1) in Table 10.6-1
Conversion: 1 in H2O/ft height packing= 83.33 mm H2O/m height of packing
FP from 9 - 60
Accuracy = ± 10-15 %
FP 60 or higher, ΔPflood = 2.0 in. H2O/ft (166.7 mm H2O/m)
 PRESSURE DROP & TOWER DIAMETER IN PACKED &
STRUCTURED PACKINGS
Procedure:
1. From the type of packing used, get FP from Table 10.6-1

2. Determine ΔPflood from ΔPflood = 0.115FP0.7 or ΔPflood =2 in H2O/ft packing

height when FP ≥ 60
3. Calculate flow parameter using the gas and liquid flows in the bottom of
the tower. Using Fig. 10.6-5 or 10.6-6, read off the capacity parameter
4. Calculate υG from the capacity parameter which is equal to GG/ρG where
GG = maximum value of gas mass velocity at flooding
5. Using a given % of the floodingGG , obtain new GL and GG based on the
given liquid-to-gas ratio GL/GG
6. Calculate the cross-sectional area of the tower (πD2/4) from the given gas
flow rate and hence, the diameter of the tower
7. Calculate the total flow rates of the outlet and inlet water assuming all the
solute is absorbed
 PACKED TOWERS FOR ABSORPTION

Balance on A :
L’ + V’ = L’ + V’
Operating line
L’ + V’ = L’ + V’

Absorption Stripping
 LIMITING & OPTIMUM L’/V’ RATIOS
Balance on A:
L’ + V’ = L’ + V’

Entering liquid flow L2 or L’ open to choice

Absorption Stripping
At point P, liquid flow L’ = L’min & x1 = x1max

L’min + V’ =L’min + V’

Equilibrium line curved concavely downward, operating line becomes

tangent to the equilibrium line
 ANALYTICAL EQUATION FOR THEORETICAL TRAYS

Absorption:

Stripping:

where
m = slope of equilibrium line (m2 is used for absorption, m1 is
used for stripping)
A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1A2)
A1=L1/(m1V1)
A2 = L2/(m2V2)
 ANALYTICAL/ KREMSER EQUATION
V1 VN+1
yA1 yAN+1
L0 LN
xA0 xAN

Kremser equations – valid only when operating & equilibrium lines are straight
Absorption: Stripping:

where
m = slope of equilibrium line
A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1AN)
A1=L0/(mV1) & AN = LN/(mVN+1)
 Example 10.6-3
V1 kmol/h VN+1 = 100 kmol/h
yA1 yAN+1 = 0.022
L0 kmol/h LN kmol/h
xA0 =0 xAN
A = ethyl alcohol , B = inert gas, C = pure water
yN+1
T= 303K, P = 101.3 kPa, L’ = 1.5 L’min A

90% recovery of alcohol

Equilibrium line: y = 0.68x
No. of trays needed
= ? ) = 100 (1-0.022) = 97.8 kmol/h
V’ = VN+1 (1-y AN+1

Alcohol in VN+1 = 0.022(100) = 2.2 kmol/h

Alcohol in LN = 0.9(2.2) = 1.98 kmol/h y1A

Balance of alcohol in V1 = 0.22 kmol/h x0A

xNA
V1 = V’ + alcohol in V1 = 97.8 + 0.22 = 98.02 kmol/h max

y1A = 0.22/98.02 = 0.002244 xNAmax = 0.03235

 Example 10.6-3
V’= 97.8 kmol/h Alcohol in LN = 0.9(2.2) = 1.98 kmol/h
xA0 = 0, yAN+1 = 0.022, yA1 = 0.002244, xNAmax = 0.03235

L’ + V’ = L’ + V’

L’min + V’ = L’min + V’

L’min + 97.8 = L’min + 97.8

L’min = 59.24 kmol/h

L’ =1.5L’min = 1.5(59.24) = 88.86 kmol/h = L0
LN = 88.86 +1.98 = 90.84 kmol/h

88.86 + 97.8 = 88.86 + 97.8

xNA = 0.0218
 Example 10.6-3 Number of theoretical trays = 4
xNA = 0.0218
yN+
1A

A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1AN)

A1=L0/(mV1) & AN = LN/(mVN+1)
V1 = 98.02 kmol/h, VN+1 = 100 kmol/h,
L0 = 88.86 kmol/h, LN = 90.84 kmol/h
y1A
A1=L0/(mV1) = 88.86/[(0.68)(98.02)] = 1.333
x0A
xNA = 0.0218 AN = LN/(mVN+1) = 90.84/[(0.68)(100)] = 1.336
Equilibrium line: y = 0.68x A = √(A1AN) = √[(1.333)(1.336)] = 1.335
xA0 = 0, yAN+1 = 0.022, yA1 = 0.002244, xNA = 0.0218
 MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES
• Mass transfer of solute A from one fluid phase by convection &
then through a second phase by convection
• NH3 from air to water
• 2 phases (immiscible in each other) in direct contact
• concentration gradient exist in each phase

• equilibrium at interface
• resistance at interface = negligible
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS-TRANSFER
COEFFICIENTS
Equimolar counterdiffusion
A diffusing from the gas to liquid & B from liquid to gas

Determination of interface compositons

NA = k’y(yAG – yAi) = k’x(xAi – xAL) or
where
k’y = gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac)
k’x = liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac)
Line PM =slope = -k’x/k’y
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS-TRANSFER
COEFFICIENTS
Diffusion of A through stagnant B in the gas phase &
then through a non-diffusing liquid

Determination of interface compositons(by trial-and-error method):

Rearranging,

Dilute solutions, (1-yA)iM & (1-xA)iM ≈1

 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS-TRANSFER
COEFFICIENTS
Determination of interface compositons(by trial-and-error method):

Slope
=
1st trial: assume (1-yA)iM & (1-xA)iM =1, determine slope
Draw line PM , get values of yAi & xAi
2nd trial: determine slope & get new values of yAi & xAi
Repeat until interface compositions do not change
Example 10.4-1
Solute A absorbed from a gas mixture A-B in a wetted wall tower
at 298K and 1.013 x 105 Pa
Solute A diffuses through stagnant B in the gas phase &
through a non-diffusing liquid
At a certain point in the tower, yAG = 0.38 & xAL = 0.1
Equilibrium data:
xA yA xA yA
0 0 0.2 0.131
0.05 0.022 0.25 0.187
0.10 0.052 0.3 0.265
0.15 0.087 0.35 0.385

k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.

k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
Interface concentrations yAi ,xAi & NA= ?
 Example 10.4-1
yAG = 0.38 & xAL = 0.1 k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
1st trial: assume (1-yA)iM & (1-xA)iM =1, determine slope

Slope = -

On yA vs xA draw equilibrium line & line PM1 with slope = -1.342

yAi=0.183

xAi=0.247
 Example 10.4-1 1st trial:yAi=0.183 & xAi = 0.247

2nd trial:
Slope = -

New yAi = 0.197 & xAi = 0.257

Repeat the above calculation
using the latest yAi & xAi
(1-yA)iM = 0.709
(1-xA)iM = 0.82
Slope = -1.16
Previous slope ≈ new slope
∴ yAi = 0.197 & xAi = 0.257
Example 10.4-1
k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
yAG = 0.38, xAL = 0.1
yAi = 0.197 & xAi = 0.257
(1-yA)iM = 0.709
(1-xA)iM = 0.82
 OVERALL MASS-TRANSFER
COEFFICIENTS
Overall mass-transfer coefficients K’y & K’x

NA = K’y(yAG – y*A) NA = K’x(x*A – xAL)

where
K’y = overall gas mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac.)

K’x = overall liquid mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac.)

y*A in equilibrium with xAL

x*A in equilibrium with yAG

 EQUIMOLAR COUNTERDIFFUSION AND/OR
DIFFUSION IN DILUTE SOLUTIONS

where
m’ = slope of the equilibrium line between points E & M

when m’= very small

gas solute A very soluble in liquid phase

major resistance in gas phase/gas phase controlling
 EQUIMOLAR COUNTERDIFFUSION AND/OR
DIFFUSION IN DILUTE SOLUTIONS

where
m’’ = slope of the equilibrium line between points E & M

when m’’= very large

gas solute A very insoluble in liquid phase

major resistance in liquid phase/liquid phase controlling
 DISSUSION OF A THROUGH STAGNANT OR
NONDIFFUSING B

where

Similarly,

where
 Example 10.4-2 (similar to example 10.4-1)
Solute A diffuses through stagnant B in the gas phase &
through a non-diffusing liquid
At a certain point in the tower, yAG = 0.38 & xAL = 0.1
k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
K’y, NA ,% resistance in the gas & % resistance in the liquid films= ?

y*A = 0.052, yAi = 0.197, xAi = 0.257

 Example 10.4-2
yAG = 0.38 & xAL = 0.1
k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
y*A = 0.052, yAi = 0.197, xAi = 0.257

From example 10.4-1,

 Example 10.4-2
yAG = 0.38 & xAL = 0.1
k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
y*A = 0.052, yAi = 0.197, xAi = 0.257

Solving,
K’y = 8.90 x 10-4 kmol/s.m2. mol frac.

% resistance in gas film = (484/868.8) x 100% = 55.7%

% resistance in liquid film = (100 – 55.7)% = 44.3%
Example 10.4-2
yAG = 0.38 & xAL = 0.1
k’y = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
k’x = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
y*A = 0.052, yAi = 0.197, xAi = 0.257

K’y = 8.90 x 10-4 kmol/s.m2. mol frac.

Same flux value as calculated in example 10.4-1

 V2 L2
yA xA
2 2

L+dL PACKED
V +d V xA+dxA COLUMN
yA+d
II dz
yA
V L
yA xA

I z

L1
V1
xA1
yA
1
Mass balance:

Rearrange ;

Operating line equation.

For dilute system, operating line
Mass balance in gas phase:

Mass balance in liquid phase:

S – cross section area of the bed or column in m2

Mole Operating line
fraction in
gas Equilibrium curve

slope=

Mole fraction in liquid, x

Dilute system: mole fraction in the gas and liquid streams are
less than about 0.1 or 10 %.

Operating lines = straight

Using overall coefficient:
 Equilibrium & Operating lines = straight

V = Vave = (V1+V2)/2 L =Lave = (L1+L2)/2

Using overall coefficient:
 SIMPLIFIED DESIGN METHODS FOR ABSORPTION
OF DILUTE GAS MIXTURES IN PACKED TOWERS
Procedure:
1. Plot operating line & equilibrium line
2. By trial-and-error, determine yi, xi or y*, x*: 1st trial,

Slope = -

Using values of yi, xi or y*, x*, calculate new slope:

Slope = -

Compare latest values of yi, xi or y*, x* with former values

3. Plot y vs 1/(y-yi) or x vs 1/(xi-x)
4. Calculate area under plot (for equilibrium line = curve)
5. Calculate height of tower, z
Example 10.6-4 V2
L’ =45.36 kmol/h
y2A = 0.005
x2=0
A = Acetone T = 293K
B = air P = 101.3 kPa
S = 0.186m2
C = water

V’ = 13.65 kmol/h
y1A = 0.026 L1

k’ya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

k’x a= 6.16 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
Calculate height of tower, z, using
a) k’ya
b) k’xa
c) K’ya
 Example 10.6-4 V2
L’ =45.36 kmol/h
y2A = 0.005
x2=0
T = 293K
k’ya = 3.78 x 10 kmol A/s.m .mol frac.
-2 3
P = 101.3 kPa
k’x a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac. S = 0.186m2

V’ = 13.65 kmol/h
y1A = 0.026 L1

Material balance on A:

L’ + V’ = L’ + V’

45.36 + 13.65 = 45.36 + 13.65

x1 = 0.00648
 Example 10.6-4 V2
L’ =45.36 kmol/h
y2A = 0.005
x2=0
T = 293K
P = 101.3 kPa
k’ya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
S = 0.186m2
k’x a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
V’ = 13.65 kmol/h L1
y1A = 0.026 x1 = 0.00648
1. Plot operating line & equilibrium line
 Example 10.6-4 k’ya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
k’x a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
V’ = 13.65 kmol/h, L’ = 45.36 kmol/h , S = 0.186 m2
y1 = 0.026 , x1 = 0.00648, y2 = 0.005, x2 = 0
2. By trial-and-error, determine yi, xi or y*, x*: 1st trial, Slope = -
For point 1: (y1 = 0.026 , x1 = 0.00648)
Slope = -
Example 10.6-4

For point 1:
From the plot, yi1 = 0.0154 , xi1 = 0.013, y*1 = 0.0077
For 2st trial, Slope = -
Example 10.6-4

For 2st trial, Slope = -

Slope = -

Since the latest slope and the former slope is approximate close, the
y = 0.0154 , x = 0.013, y*values
= 0.0077 are accurate enough.
i1 i1 1
Example 10.6-4

For the slope at point 2 (x2 = 0,y2 = 0.005), 1st trial:

Slope ≈ - ≈-

Since the slope at point 2 and point 1 changes little in the tower, the value
of the slope -1.62 from the 1st trial is acceptable. Plotting the slope at point
2 gives yi2 = 0.002, xi2 = 0.0018 and y*2 = 0
Example 10.6-4 k’ya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
k’x a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
V’ = 13.65 kmol/h, L’ = 45.36 kmol/h , S = 0.186 m2
y1 = 0.026 , x1 = 0.00648, y2 = 0.005, x2 = 0
yi1 = 0.0154 , xi1 = 0.013, y*1 = 0.0077
yi2 = 0.002, xi2 = 0.0018 and y*2 = 0

Since both the operating and equilibrium lines are straight,

the height of the tower is determined using

where
Example 10.6-4 k’ya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
k’x a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
V’ = 13.65 kmol/h, L’ = 45.36 kmol/h , S = 0.186 m2
y1 = 0.026 , x1 = 0.00648, y2 = 0.005, x2 = 0
yi1 = 0.0154 , xi1 = 0.013, y*1 = 0.0077
yi2 = 0.002, xi2 = 0.0018 and y*2 = 0

V1 = V’/(1-y1) and V2 = V’/(1-y2)

V1 = 13.65/(1-0.026) = 14.014 kmol/h = 3.893 x 10-3 kmol/s
V2 = 13.65/(1-0.005) = 13.719 kmol/h = 3.811 x 10-3 kmol/s
Example 10.6-4 k’ya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
k’x a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
V’ = 13.65 kmol/h, L’ = 45.36 kmol/h , S = 0.186 m2
y1 = 0.026 , x1 = 0.00648, y2 = 0.005, x2 = 0

V1 = 3.893 x 10-3 kmol/s V2 = 3.811 x 10-3 kmol/s

 HEIGHT & NUMBER OF TRANSFER (HTU & NTU)
Equilibrium & Operating lines = straight

Operating lines = straight

∫ ∫
∫ ∫
 HEIGHT & NUMBER OF TRANSFER (HTU & NTU)
When major resistance to mass transfer is in gas phase, NOG
or NG should be used (absorption)
When major resistance to mass transfer is in liquid phase,
NOL or NL should be used (stripping)

Operating line = straight

Equilibrium & Operating lines = straight & not parallel

Operating line = straight

A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1A2)

Where A1=L1/(mV1) A2 = L2/(mV2)
 HEIGHT & NUMBER OF TRANSFER (HTU & NTU)
HOG (HOL) is related to HG (HL) by

HOG = HG + HL

HOL = HL + HG
where

m = slope of equilibrium line

HOG = height of transfer unit based on overall gas phase

HOL = height of transfer unit based on overall liquid phase

L,V = molar flowrate of liquid & gas, respectively (kmol/s.m2)

 HEIGHT & NUMBER OF TRANSFER (HTU & NTU)

Height of a theoretical tray or stage, HETP (m) is related to HOG (m)

by

where A = absorption factor = Aav. = √(A1A2)

Where A1=L1/(mV1) A2 = L2/(mV2)

Height of tower, z
 ESTIMATION OF MASS-TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS
FOR PACKED TOWERS (dilute mixtures)

where
fP = relative mass transfer coefficient (Table 10.6-1)
Gx, Gy = liquid and gas mass flowrate per m2 tower cross-section (kg/s.m2)

HG = height of transfer unit based on gas film =

μ = viscosity of liquid (kg/m.s)

HL = height of transfer unit based on liquid film =

 Example 10.8-1
Predict HG, HL and HOL for absorption of CO2 from air by
water in a dilute solution in a packed tower with 1½-in metal
Pall rings at 303K and 101.32 kPa pressure. The flow rates
are Gx = 4.069 kg/s.m2 and Gy = 0.5424 kg/s.m2.

fP = 1.34 fromTable 10.6-10

NSc = Schmidt number =

At 303K and 101.32kPa, from A.3-3, ρair= 1.666 kg/m3 and μ= 1.866 x 10-5 kg/m.s
From Table 6.2-1, for Air-CO2 system, at 276K DAB = 0.142 x 10-4 m2/s
Correcting for 303K, DAB303K = DAB276K

DAB303K = 0.142 x 10-4

Example 10.8-1

Gx = 4.069 kg/s.m2 and Gy = 0.5424 kg/s.m2.

At 303K and 101.32kPa, from A.3-3, ρair= 1.666 kg/m3 and
μair= 1.866 x 10-5 kg/m.s
DAB303K=0.167 x 10-4 m2/s

fP = 1.34 fromTable 10.6-10

NSc = Schmidt number =

 Example 10.8-1 Gx = 4.069 kg/s.m2 and Gy = 0.5424 kg/s.m2.

At 303K and 101.32kPa, from A.2-4, μwater= 0.8007 x 10-3 kg/m.s

ρwater = 995.68 kg/m3
From Table 6.3-1, for water-CO2 system, at 298K DAB = 2.0 x 10-9 m2/s

Correcting for 303K, DAB303K = DAB298K

μwater at 298K from A.2-4 = 0.8937 x 10-3 kg/s.m

NSc = Schmidt number =

Example 10.8-1
Gx = 4.069 kg/s.m2 and Gy = 0.5424 kg/s.m2.
fP = 1.34 fromTable 10.6-10
At 303K and 101.32kPa, from A.2-4, μwater= 0.8007 x 10-3 kg/m.s
NSc =354.3
 Example 10.8-1
Gx = 4.069 kg/s.m2 and Gy = 0.5424 kg/s.m2.
HG = 0.2426 m & HL = 0.2306 m

HOL = HL + HG
where
m = slope of equilibrium line
From A.3-18, for CO2 at 1 atm, pA = 0.186 x 104xA,
yA = (pA/P)xA = (0.186 x 104/1)xA

L,V = molar flowrate of liquid & gas, respectively (kmol/s.m2)

L = Gx/Mwater = 4.069/18 = 0.2261 kmol/s.m2
V= Gy/Mair= 0.5424/29 = 0.01872 kmol/s.m2

HOL = HL + HG
 Proble
mstream
A gas 2: contains 4.0 mol% NH3 and its ammonia
content is reduce to 0.5 mol% in a packed absorption
tower at 293 K and 1.013 x 105 Pa. The inlet pure water
flow is 68.0 kg-mol/h and total inlet gas flow is 57.8 kg-
mol/h. The tower diameter is 0.747 m. The film mass
transfer coefficients are = 0.0739 kg-mol/s.m3. mol
frac. and = 0.169 kg-mol/s.m3. mol frac.

a.Calculate the tower height using

b.Calculate the tower height using

End of Part 2