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
Henrys laws:

pA = HxA

or

yA = HxA

where
pA = partial pressure of component A (atm)
H= Henrys law constant (atm/mol fraction) in Appendix A.3-18
H = Henrys 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

xA1

xA0

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
where

+ V

L = moles inert C
V = moles inert B

= L

+ V

Example 10.31
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
kgmol/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
compositions of the two outlet phases. Assume
that water does not vaporize to the gas phase.

Example 10.3-1
V1
yA1
L0 = 300 kmol/h

1 atm
293K

V2 = 100 kmol/h
L1

yA2=0.2

xA1

xA0 = 0

Gas phase= CO2 + air

Inert C = pure water
Balance on A:

L0xA0 + V2yA2 = L1xA1 + V1yA1

Balance on A can also be written as

L
where

+ V

= L

+ V

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, Henrys law constant from App. A.3-18 = 0.142 x 104 atm/mol frac.
yA1 = HxA1 = (H/P)xA1 = 0.142 x 104xA1
(2)
Substitue yA1 = 0.142 x 104xA1 into eq. (1):
300
Solving for xA1:

+ 80

= 300

+ 80

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
operating line

= L

+ V

COUNTERCURRENT MULTIPLE-CONTACT STAGES

Graphical determination of N:

Dilute

Concentrated

Example 10.3-2
It is desired to absorbed 90% of the acetone in
a gas containing 1.0 mol% acetone in air in a
countercurrent stage tower. The total inlet gas
flow to the tower is 30.0kgmol/h, and the total
inlet pure water flow to be used to absorb the
acetone is 90 kgmol H2O/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 this separation.

Example 10.3-2
VN+1 = 30 kmol/h
yAN+1 = 0.01
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
yAN+1 = 0.01

yA1 = 0.00101
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
yAN+1

yA1
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
yAN+1

yA1
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
Repeat Example 10.3-2 but use the
Kremser
analytical
equations
for
countercurrent stage processes.

Example 10.3-3
V1 = 29.73 kmol/h
yA1 = 0.00101

VN+1 = 30 kmol/h
yAN+1 = 0.01

L0 = 90 kmol/h

LN = 90.27 kmol/h

xA0 =0

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

xAN = 0.003

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

Types of Plate Towers

1.Sieve Tray
2.Valve Tray
3.Bubbe-cap Tray
Design of Plate Absorption Towers
1.Operating Line
2.Graphical Determination of The Number
of Tray

Design of Tray/Plate
Absorption Towers
1.Operating Line Derivation
-same as the countercurrent multiplestage
2.Graphical Determination of the Number
of Trays

Example 10.6-2
A tray tower is to be designed to absorb SO2
from an air stream by using pure water at 293
K(68oF). The entering gas contains 20 mol%
SO2 and that leaving 2 mol% at a total pressure
of 101.3 kPa. The inert air flow rate is 150 kg
air/h.m2, and the entering water flow rate is
6000 kg water/h.m2.Assuming an overall tray
efficiency of 25%, how many theoretical trays
and actual trays are needed? Assume that the
tower operates at 293 K (20oC).

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:

G = superficial gas velocity (ft/s) = GG/G

G = gas density (Ibm/ft3)
L = liquid density (Ibm
Fp = packing factor

/ft3)

(ft-1)

in Table 10.6-1

GL = liquid mass velocity (Ibm/s.ft2)

GG = gas mass velocity (Ibm/s.ft2)
Accuracy = 11%

v = kinematic viscosity (centstokes) = L/(L/62.4)

L= liquid viscosity (cp)

PRESSURE DROP IN STRUCTURED PACKING

FLOODING PRESSURE DROP IN PACKED & STRUCTURED

PACKINGS
Prediction of limiting pressure drop at flooding:
Pflood = 0.115FP0.7
where:
Pflood = 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, Pflood = 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 Pflood from Pflood = 0.115FP0.7 or Pflood =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 G from the capacity parameter which is equal to GG/G 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 (D2/4) 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

Example 10.6-1
Ammonia is being absorbed in a tower using
pure water at 25oC and 1.0 atm abs. The feed
rate is 1440 lbm/h and contains 3.0 mol%
ammonia in air. The process design specifies a
liquid to gas mass ratio GL/GG=2/1 and the use
of 1-in.metal Pall Rings.
Calculate the pressure drop in the packing and
gas mass velocity at flooding. Using 50% of the
flooding velocity, calculate the pressure drop,
gas and liquid flows, and the tower diameter.

Example 10.6-1
1.From Table 10.6-1, for 1-in Pall rings,
Fp=56 ft-1
2.GL/GG = 2/1=2.0
3.Pressure drop: use equation 10.6-1.
Dpflood =0.115Fp0.7=0.115(56)0.7=1.925 in
4.Calculate flow parameter:
Air density: from Appendix A.3-3.From
capacity parameter, GG can be calculated.

Example 10.6-1
6. Use 50% of flooding velocity, 0.5GG.
GL = 2GG . This new GG and GL and 50%
of capacity parameter can be used to
obtain the pressure drop.
Tower diameter is determined from GG.

PACKED TOWERS FOR ABSORPTION

Balance on A :
L

+ V

= L

+ V

Operating line
L

Absorption

+ V

= L

+ V

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 = Lmin & x1 = x1max
Lmin

+ V

=Lmin

+ 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
yA1

VN+1
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
A tray is absorbing ethyl alcohol from an inert
gas stream using pure water at 303 K and
101.3 kPa.The inlet gas stream flow rate is
100.0 kgmol/h and it contains 2.2 mol% alcohol.
It is desired to recover 90% of the alcohol.The
equilibrium relationship is y=0.68x for this dilute
stream. Using 1.5 times the minimum liquid flow
rate, determine the number of tray needed. Do
this graphically and also using the analytical
equations.

Example 10.6-3
V1 kmol/h
yA1

VN+1 = 100 kmol/h

yAN+1 = 0.022

L0 kmol/h

LN kmol/h

xA0 =0

A = ethyl alcohol , B = inert gas, C = pure water

yN+1A
T= 303K, P = 101.3 kPa, L = 1.5 Lmin

xAN

90% recovery of alcohol

Equilibrium line: y = 0.68x
No. of trays needed = ?
V = VN+1 (1-yAN+1) = 100 (1-0.022) = 97.8 kmol/h
Alcohol in VN+1 = 0.022(100) = 2.2 kmol/h
Alcohol in LN = 0.9(2.2) = 1.98 kmol/h
Balance of alcohol in V1 = 0.22 kmol/h

y1A
x0A

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

y1A = 0.22/98.02 = 0.002244

xNAmax

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

Lmin

+ V

= Lmin

Lmin

+ 97.8

+ V

= Lmin

+ V
+ 97.8

Lmin = 59.24 kmol/h

L =1.5Lmin = 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
yN+1A

xNA = 0.0218

Number of theoretical trays = 4

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
x0A

A1=L0/(mV1) = 88.86/[(0.68)(98.02)] = 1.333

xNA = 0.0218

Equilibrium line: y = 0.68x

AN = LN/(mVN+1) = 90.84/[(0.68)(100)] = 1.336

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

where

NA = ky(yAG yAi) = kx(xAi xAL) or

ky = gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac)
kx = liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac)
Line PM =slope = -kx/ky

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
0.05
0.10
0.15

0
0.022
0.052
0.087

0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35

0.131
0.187
0.265
0.385

ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.

kx = 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

ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.

kx = 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

2nd trial:

1st trial:yAi=0.183 & xAi = 0.247

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
ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
kx = 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 Ky & Kx
where

NA = Ky(yAG y*A)

NA = Kx(x*A xAL)

Ky = overall gas mass-transfer coefficient (kmol/s.m2.mol frac.)

Kx = 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
ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
kx = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
Ky, 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
ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
kx = 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
ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
kx = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
y*A = 0.052, yAi = 0.197, xAi = 0.257

Solving,
Ky = 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
ky = 1.465 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
kx = 1.967 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m2.mol frac.
y*A = 0.052, yAi = 0.197, xAi = 0.257

Ky = 8.90 x 10-4 kmol/s.m2. mol frac.

Same flux value as calculated in example 10.4-1

Design Method for Packed Towers using Mass-Transfer

Coefficients

It is very difficult to measure the interfacial

area bet. Liquid and gas phase, kx and ky
In packed tower, the mass transfer
coefficients that were measured
experimentally, were already taken into
account the interfacial area, a.
a = m2 per m3 (volume of packed section)
It is called volumetric film and overall masstransfer coefficients: kya, kxa, Kxa, Kya

 For absorption A through stagnant B:

L[(x)/(1-x)]+V[y1/(1-y1)]=L[(x1)/(1-x1)]
+V[(y)/(1-y)]
For differential height dz:
d(Vy) = d(Lx)=kgmol A transferred/s
V=kgmol total gas/s, L=kgmol total liquid/s

Equation (10.4-8)

 dA = aSdz

--------(10.6-9)

SIMPLIFIED DESIGN METHODS FOR ABSORPTION

OF DILUTE GAS MIXTURES IN PACKED TOWERS
Equilibrium & Operating lines = straight
Height of packed tower, z :

V = Vave = (V1+V2)/2

L =Lave = (L1+L2)/2

SIMPLIFIED DESIGN METHODS FOR ABSORPTION

OF DILUTE GAS MIXTURES IN PACKED TOWERS
Operating lines = straight
Height of packed tower, z :

Dilute : (1-y)iM, (1-x)iM, (1-y)*M & (1-x)*M 1

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

A = Acetone

x2=0
T = 293K

P = 101.3 kPa

B = air

S = 0.186m2

C = water

V = 13.65 kmol/h
y1A = 0.026

L1

kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

kx a= 6.16 x 10-3 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.
Calculate height of tower, z, using
a) kya
b) kxa
c) Kya

Example 10.6-4

V2

L =45.36 kmol/h

y2A = 0.005

kya = 3.78 x

10-2

kmol A/s.m3.mol

x2=0
T = 293K

frac.

P = 101.3 kPa

kx 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
45.36

+ V
+ 13.65

= L
= 45.36
x1 = 0.00648

+ V
+ 13.65

Example 10.6-4

V2

L =45.36 kmol/h

y2A = 0.005

x2=0
T = 293K

kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

kx a= 6.16 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

1. Plot operating line & equilibrium line

P = 101.3 kPa
S = 0.186m2

V = 13.65 kmol/h

L1

y1A = 0.026

x1 = 0.00648

Example 10.6-4

kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

kx 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,
For point 1: (y1 = 0.026 , x1 = 0.00648)
Slope = -

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 values
yi1 = 0.0154 , xi1 = 0.013, y*1 = 0.0077 are accurate enough.

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

kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

kx 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

kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

kx 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

kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kmol A/s.m3.mol frac.

kx 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

Example 10.6-5
Repeat Example 10.6-4 using transfer units
and height of a transfer unit as follows:
(a) Use HG and NG to calculate tower height
(b) Use HOG and NOG to calculate tower
height
(c) Use Eq (10.6-52) to calculate NOG and
tower height
(d) Using the analytical equations, calculate
HETP from Eq (10.6-55), number of
theoretical steps N (Eq 10.6-7), and tower
height.

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 =
= 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 1-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, air= 1.666 kg/m3 and = 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, air= 1.666 kg/m3 and
air= 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, water= 0.8007 x 10-3 kg/m.s

water = 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
water 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, water= 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