Absorption Processes

Application of steady state mass transfer theory to gas/liquid, liquid/liquid operations, for the design of packed columns.

Needs to consider: Mass Balance (operating line) Equilibrium conditions between the two phases

Equilibrium Relationships
MT by diffusion occurs provided theres a driving force. If both phases are in equilibrium, driving force is 0. The equilibrium relationships between phases are commonly expressed as : Ideal Systems Rauolts Law

Pox P a a
Hc P a a

Dilute Systems

Henrys Law

Linear Relations

y mr x

Non Linear Relations

ax y b cx

Objectives in Finding Packing Height

1. Find the physical height of a single transfer unit This depends on Mass transfer coefficient Column hydrodynamics - wetting, contact area Packing type 2. Number of transfer units Depends in flowrate and driving force.

Basic Expression for Height of Packing

Define :
Phase 2 (Gas) Mole Ratio in Phase 2 Leaving Packing Y2 Top of Packing Carrier (Gas) Molar Flowrate Carrier (Liquid) Molar Flowrate Phase 1 (Liquid) Mole Ratio in Phase 1 Entering Packing

X2

' Gm

' Lm

Mole Ratio in Phase 2 Entering Packing Y1

Base X1

Mole Ratio in Phase 1 Leaving Packing

' where L m =

Molar flowrate of non diffusing carrier kmols/s-m2 (Liquid) Molar flowrate of non diffusing carrier kmols/s-m2 (gas)

' = Gm

X1,X2

kmols of solute per kmol carrier

kmol/kmol (liquid) out and into the packing Y1,Y2 = kmols of solute per kmol carrier

kmol/kmol (gas) in and out of the packing

Consider the steady state mass transfer round an element: Phase 2 (Gas) Phase 1 (Liquid)
Transfer from Phase 2 into Phase 1 Gm
'

Y-dY

Lm

'

dZ

X+dX

Assume that steady state mass transfer occurs within this element.

The method looks at a mass balance then the molar flux from either phase

a) Mass Balance Across Element

' ' SGm Y SL'm ( X dX ) SGm (Y dY ) SL'm X

where

S=

Cross sectional area of packing

Rearranging gives
' SGm dY SL'm dX

This implies there is not accumulation of material within the element and all material

a) Mass Transfer The molar flux from phase 2, can be represented as either interface or equilibrium values. For reasons stated earlier, we assume that equilibrium values are available and weve also assumed the mass transfer can be expressed as:

N a K 2 Y Ye

kmols m2 s

Note This example does not account for bulk flow, and assumed Ficks law is applicable to this case. The mass transfer coefficient can be expressed in terms of mole ratios.

Now, define the term SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA for the packing used, which is the surface area of packing per unit volume of tower it occupies. Then, we have the molar flowrate per unit volume of packing from phase 2 is given as :

N a aK 2 Y Ye

kmols m 2 m2 s m3

Therefore :
' SGm dY aK 2 Y Ye SdZ

Rearranging gives :
' Gm dY aK 2 Y Ye dZ

' Gm dY dZ aK2 Y Ye

Integrating between the limits Y1 and Y2, 0 and Z gives :

' Gm dY dZ aK 2 Y Ye 0 Y2 Z Y1

Taking constant terms aside, we get :

' 1 Gm dY Z K 2 Y Ye a Y 2 Y

IF the mass transfer coefficient does not alter with the driving force, then we get :
' 1 Gm dY Z Y Ye aK 2 Y 2 Y

This is the standard format for the total height of packing, and is made of two distinct parts:

G aK 2

' m

and

dY Y Ye Y2

Y1

As given here, these expressions apply to Phase 2 (GAS PHASE) and use equilibrium mass transfer coefficients.

dY Y Ye Y2
Gives the number of transfer units. General symbol N

Y1

G aK 2
Gives the height of a transfer unit. General symbol H

' m

Therefore, the total height of packing is:

Z=HN