CHECAL 1

Gas Absorption
Thermal Cracking
Amination by Ammonolysis

Submitted by:
Fajardo, Mischelle Jazzfynne
Nochefranca, Cristine Khay
Group 6

Submitted by:
Dr. Susan Roces

Date Submitted:
January 21, 2016

Gas Absorption
Gas absorption, also known as scrubbing, is a process in which one or more soluble
components/solutes are removed from the gas phase by means of contact with a liquid
phase/solvent into which the selected components can be dissolved. In gas absorption, a soluble
vapor is absorbed from its mixture with an inert gas by means of liquid in which the solute gas is
more or less soluble, removing the absorbed gas from the solvent. Absorption involves the
diffusion of solute from the gas phase through a stagnant non-diffusing liquid.
The purpose of scrubbing process may be: gas purification (removal of air pollutants
from exhaust gases), product recovery, or production of solutions of gases for different purposes.
A packed tower is commonly used to perform gas absorption which consists of cylindrical
columns or towers. Packed columns are used mostly in air pollution control. For example, the
water soluble ethylene gas is hydrolyzed to ethylene glycol.
There are two types of absorption processes: physical absorption and chemical
absorption. The difference between the two is the presence of any chemical reaction between the
solute and the solvent. In physical absorption, water and hydrocarbon oils are used as
solvents/absorbents, having no chemical reactions occur between the solute and the solvent.
While in chemical absorption, absorbents and solutes are most likely to have different kinds of
reactions: increased rate of absorption, increased absorption capacity of the solvent,
neutralization reactions, etc.

SO2

N2

fossil fuels (coal and oil)

N2 + NH3

clean gas

ABSORPTION

Water + NH3

Application
Gas absorption can be used in different kinds of industry. First is wood industry or glass
production, where sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the compound to be removed while water is the
solvent. Also in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) production, where sulfur trioxide (SO3) is the compound
removed while sulfuric acid (98%) is the solvent. It can also be used in explosive manufacture,
where a certain compound containing nitrogen (NOX) is removed by using water as the solvent.

Thermal Cracking

Thermal cracking is a process of heating hydrocarbons in 800C and pressure of 700kpa

to reduce the molecular weight and to breakdown the molecular bonds of the substance that
needs to be cracked. This involves the extraction of various components from a certain
compound. In relation to this, the extracted materials are known as fraction. Large hydrocarbon
molecules are from the gas oil fraction from the fractional distillation of crude oil. Moreover,
hydrocarbons are broken down into shorter alkanes and alkenes. In fact, hydrocarbons are more
volatile when they are in small quantities, making them easier to ignite. This makes them as
useful as fuel. Large quantities of hydrocarbons have a higher boiling point making them more
difficult to ignite; thus, they are not as useful as fuels.

Breaking down of hydrocarbon compound into alkanes and alkenes:

Process of Thermal Cracking

Alkanes

Feedstock

Thermal Cracker

Alkenes

Application

Petroleum is one of the main sources of alkanes. The extracted amount of petrol from the
gas oil is insufficient to satiate the growing demand of the consumers in the world, thermal
cracking was used to decompose the gas oil into different usable fractions. Extracted alkanes
could be used as fuel, lubricant and antiseptic for external use. Moreover, alkenes could be used
in the syntheses of alcohols, plastics, laquers, detergents, and fuels.

Amination by Ammonolysis
Amination by ammonolysis is the process of creating amines through the action of
ammonia. In this process, the use of primary and secondary amines to function as aminating
agents (aminolysis) is also included. This concept shows that the process is broad and integrated
with its principles and manufacturing practices as well as the use in the industrial world of the
secondary and tertiary amines formed.

Aminating Agent
Ammonia

Application

Amine

Dyes- In manufacturing azo dyes, the primary aromatic amines serves as the starting material.
This material reacts with nitrous acid to form diazonium salt that could undergo coupling
reaction to form azo compound. As azo-compounds are highly coloured, they are widely used in
dyeing industries.
Drugs- A lot of drugs are designed to copy or impede with the action of natural amine
neurotransmitters, which are represented by amine drugs: Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine
that helps ease allergic reactions due to cold, fever, itchy skin, insect bites and stings.
Chlorpromanzine is a tranquillizer that sedates without bringing people to sleep. This
tranquillizer is used to relieve mental disorders, anxiety, excitement, and even restlessness.
Ephedrine and phenylephrine, which are amine hydrochlorides, are known to be used as
decongestants.
Gas Treatment- Aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA), diglycolamine (DGA), diethanolamine
(DEA), disopropanolamine (DIPA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) are known for its ability
to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from natural gas and refinery
process streams. Likewise, it can also remove CO2 from combustion gases and it has the
potential of eradicating greenhouse gases.

References
Clark, J. (2003). Cracking alkane. Chemguide. Retrieved January 17, 2016 from
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alkanes/cracking.html
Coca, J., Ordonez, S., & Diaz, E. (n.d.) Mass transfer operations: absorption and extraction.
Retrieved January 17, 2016 from http://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c06/e6-34-02-05.pdf
Groggins, P.H. Unit Processes In Organic Synthesis. 1st ed. Kogakusha: McGraw-Hill
Kogakshwa, 1983. Web. 20 Jan. 2016.
n.a. (n.d.). What is thermal cracking. wiseGEEK.
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n.a. (n.d.). Introduction to gas absorption. Retrieved

http://www.separationprocesses.com/Absorption/GA_Chp03.htm

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Sreeprakash, P. (2014, September 15). Fractional distillation. Retrieved January 17, 2016 from
http://www.slideshare.net/preethusreeprakash/fractional-distillation-39099940