CHE133/B21

Learning Task # 3
Group 6
Laban, Jessica
Salvador, Kristine
Salvador, Sharlene Kim
Tan, Aieocellis

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1. Calculation of Packed Height

During the unloading of a tank car into a storage tank, air containing 0.02 mol fraction of
a water-soluble gas comes out of the storage tank. This air is to be scrubbed with water in a
countercurrent packed column to reduce the concentration of the gas to 0.0001 mole fraction.
The following data are available: gas flow rate = 2.79 lbmol/min.ft 2 tower cross section; pure
water rate = 1500 lb/hft2 tower cross section; equilibrium relationship y* = 0.01x; K ya = 2
lbmol/ft3hmol fraction. Determine the packing height.
Given:

Equi: y* = 0.01x
Kya = 2 lbmol/ft3.h
Reqd: ZT

Z T =( HTU )( NTU )=H oy N oy

Soln:

H oy =

Vb
K ya

N oy =

dy
y y

La =

conversions: basis of 1 ft2 cross-section,

1500 lb 1 lbmol

h
18 lb

La=83.33 lbmol /h
V b=

2.79 lbmol 60 min

min
1h

V b=167.4 lbmol /h
lbmol
h . ft 2
=
lbmol
2 3
ft . h

167.4
Solve for Hoy,

H oy =

N oy =

H oy =83.7 ft

yb ya
dy
=
y y ( y y )

y a y a

y b y b

y b y b
y
ya a

ln

( y y )=

material balance:

V 'b

yb
y
xb
x
a =L'a
a
1 y b 1 y a
1x b 1x a

) (

V 'b=V b ( 1 y b )=167.4 (10.02 )=164.05

L'a=La ( 1x a ) =83.33 ( 10 ) =83.33
subst. to matl bal:

164.05

xb

0.02
0.0001

=83.33 (
0 )
( 10.02
10.0001 )
1x
b

x b=0.0384
y b =0.01 xb =0.01(0.0384)

y b=3.84 10

y a=0.01 x a=0.01(0)

y a=0

( y y) =

( 0.0001 ) ( 0.023.84 104 )

0.0001
ln
0.023.84 104

( y y )=3.697 103
subst. all values,

N oy =

0.020.0001
3
3.697 10

N oy =5.38
Z T = ( 83.7 ) ( 5.38 )
Z T =450.31 ft .

2. Calculation of Capacity & Pressure Drop (Corrected)

Air containing 5 mol% NH3 at a total flow rate at 40 lbmol/hr, enters a packed column
operating at 20C and 1 atm, where 90% of the ammonia is scrubbed by a countercurrent flow of
3000 lb/hr of water. Use GPDC to estimate the superficial gas flooding velocity, the column
inside diameter for operation at 70% of flooding, and the pressure drop per foot of packing for 1
ceramic Raschig rings (FP = 179 ft2/ft3).
Given:

*90% absorption of NH3

Reqd: Us(flooding)
Diameter(based on 70% Us(flooding))
Pressure drop (-P)
Soln:
material
'

Vb

balance,

yb
ya
xb
xa
'

=La

=mol N H 3 absorbed
1 y b 1 y a
1x b 1x a

) (

mol N H 3 absorbed=0.05 40 lbmol /h 0.90

mol N H 3 absorbed=1.8 mol
V 'b=40

lbmol
( 10.05 )=38lbmol
h

subst. to matl bal,

38

ya
0.05
lb lbmol

= 3000
10.05 1 y a
h 18 lb

)(

xb

)( 1x 0)=1.8
b

x b=0.0107

y a=5.26 103
L G
F LG =
G L

0.5

( )

*@ the bottom,

air =( 0.95 29 ) + ( 0.05 17 )=28.4 lb

M

*@ the top,

=( 5.26 103 17 ) + ( ( 15.26 103 ) 29 )

M
air

 air =28.94 lb
M
Ga ( ammonia ) =( 38+0.2 ( mol air absorbed ) ) 28.94
Ga=1105.5
Gb=40

lbmol
28.4=1136
h

1105.5+1136 =1120.8 lb
G=
2
h

( 1 atm )

G =

( 28.94+28.4
) =1.19 g
2

PM
=
RT
( 0.08205 )( 293.15 )

F LG =

3000 1.19 g / L
1120.8 1000 g / L

Pflood =0.115 F P

0.70

use ( P )=1.5

0.5

=0.09

=0.115 ( 179 )

0.70

=4.35>1.5

From Fig.14.55 (p.14-58 of Perrys ChE handbook 8th ed):

from the graph,

0.5

CS F P

0.05

US

*for water @ 20C,

G
L G

0.5
0.05
F 0.5
=1.6
P

1
g
100 cm. s 100 cSt
=

=1cSt
g
1 St
1 3
cm
U S

U S (flooding)=3.46 ft / s

=1.6

1.19
10001.19

0.5

179 0.5 10.05=1.6

 G ( f U S )
m=
G=

( 4 D )
2
T

g 0.07 lb
G=1.19 =
L
ft 3
1120.8

lb
h

=( 0.07 )( 0.70 3.46 ) D2T

h 3600 s
4

( )

D T =1.53 ft

therefore, based on 70% Us,

from the graph,

0.05
C S F 0.5
=( 0.7 ) ( 3.46 )
P

( P )=0.30

H 2O
ft

1.19
10001.19

0.5

1790.5 10.05=1.12