Chapter (12) in Volume (2) : Absorption of Gases ( (Gas - Liquid Separation) )
Chapter (12) in Volume (2) : Absorption of Gases ( (Gas - Liquid Separation) )
Chapter (12) in Volume (2) : Absorption of Gases ( (Gas - Liquid Separation) )
In absorption (also called gas absorption, gas scrubbing, and gas washing), a gas mixture
is contacted with a liquid (the absorbent or solvent) to selectively dissolve one or more
components by mass transfer from the gas to the liquid. The components transferred to the
liquid are referred to as solute or absorbate.
1. Physical process (e.g. absorption of acetone from acetone – air mixture by water).
2. Chemical process, sometimes called chemi-sorption (e.g. absorption of nitrogen oxides by
water to produce nitric acid.
Equipment:
Absorption and stripping are conducted in tray towers (plate column), packed column,
spray tower, bubble column, and centrifugal contactors. The first two types of these equipment
will be considered in our course for this year.
1. Tray tower:
A tray tower is a vertical, cylindrical pressure vessel in which gas and liquid, which flow
counter currently, are contacted on a series of metal trays or plates. Liquid flows across any
tray over an outlet weir, and into a down comer, which takes the liquid by gravity to the tray
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
below. The gas flows upward through opening in each tray, bubbling through the liquid on the
other tray. A schematic diagram for the flow patterns inside the tray column is shown below.
2. Packed tower:
The packed column is a vertical, cylindrical pressure vessel containing one or more
section of packing material over who's the liquid flows down wards by gravity as a film or as
droplets between packing elements. Gas flows upwards through the wetted packing contacting
the liquid. The sections of packing are contained between a lower gas – injection support plate,
which holds the packing, and an upper grid or mish hold – down plate, which prevent packing
movement. A liquid distributor, placed above the hold – down plate, ensures uniform
distribution of liquid as it enters the packing section.
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Figure: Types of packing (a) Raschig rings (b) Pall rings (c) Berl saddle ceramic (d) Intalox saddle
ceramic (e) Metal Hypac ( f ) Ceramic, super Intalox.
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
a. High solubility for the solute(s) to minimize the need for absorbent (solvent).
b. A low volatility to reduce the loss of absorbent (solvent) and facilitate separation of
absorbent (solvent) from solute(s).
c. Be stable to maximize absorbent (solvent) life and reduce absorbent makeup requirement.
d. Be non – corrosive to permit use of common material of construction.
e. Have a low viscosity to provide low pressure drop and high mass and heat transfer
rates.
f. Be non – foaming when contacted with gas so as to make it unnecessary.
g. Be non – toxic and non – flammable to facilitate its safe use.
h. Be available, if possible.
The most widely absorbent (solvent) used are water, hydrocarbon oils, and aqueous
solutions of acids and bases. While the most common stripping agents used are water vapor,
air, inert gases, and hydrocarbon gases.
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
P H P P
= x = x
P P P P
= =
Where:
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
Notes:
The equilibrium relation is the ratio between the mole ratio of solute in gas phase ( ) and the
mole ratio of solute in liquid phase( ). The equilibrium relation may be linear or no linear.
If the tie relation was linear gives as follow ( = )
But if it the tie relation was as data (Table ) as below
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
In this case, to determine the behaviour of the equilibrium relation the data will be drawn, if
the drawing between XA and YA is a straight line the slop will be taking from drawing only
and configure the relationship ( = ).
But if the drawing between XA and YA appear as a curve at that time the solving must be by
using the drawing.
* Sometimes the equilibrium relation given between the partial pressure (PA) and mole
faction (XA) like Henry and Raoult's law. In this case we must transfer it to relation
between (XA and YA).
= =
1− 1−
Where:
and : are the mole fractions of solute (A) in liquid and gas phases, respectively.
and : are the mole ratio of solute (A) in liquid and gas phases, respectively.
( %) ∗ ( . )
.% =
∑[( %) ∗ ( . )]
( . %) ⁄( . )
%=
∑[( . %)/( . )]
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
Where:
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
The physical absorption process can be carried out in countercurrent flow process, which
may be carried out in packed or tray column:
Where: Where:
HOG: is the height of transfer unit H : is the distance between two
(HTU) based on gas phase, and it trays, and it is given (0.3 - 0.7 m)
can be calculated from the equation
below:
= , in (meter)
.
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
1. Packed tower:
Absorption and stripping are frequently conducted in packed columns, particularly when:
The gas liquid contact in a packed bed column is continuous, not stage-wise, as in a plate
column. The liquid flows down the column over the packing surface and the gas or vapour,
counter-currently, up the column. In some gas-absorption columns co-current flow is used. The
performance of a packed column is very dependent on the maintenance of good liquid and gas
distribution throughout the packed bed, and this is an important consideration in packed-column
design.
Overall material balance on the solute (A) over an element (∂z) based on gas phase:
= = .
∗
= − + =( )( )( − )
Where:
= =
∗
− =( . )( . )( − )
∗
= −( . )( . )( − )
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
−
=
( . ). ( − ∗)
( ⁄ )
= ∗)
. ( −
= ∗)
. ( −
Where:
= ∶ heiht of transfer unit (HTU) based on gas phase, with the units of (m).
.
= ∗)
( −
∶ number of transfer unit (NTU) based on gas phase, without units.
Solute material balance between one end of the column and any point will give:
( − )= ( − )
= ( − )+
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
* The operating line can be draw from two points (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2), or from its slope ( )
= ∗)
… … … … … … … … … … … . . (1)
( −
∗
= … … … … … … … … … … … … (2)
( − )= ( − ) … … … … … … … … … … … . . (3)
= ( − )+
= ( − ) … … … … … … … … … … … . (4)
∗ ( − )
= … … … … … … … … … … … … (5)
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
=
( − ( − ))
: = = = < 1.0
⁄
=
− +
=
( − ) +
( − ) +
=
( − ) ( − ) +
( − ) +
=
( − )
= ( − ) +
( − )
( ).
∗
3. Create the table below by calculated ( ) from the plot as below:
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
( − ∗)
Assume points between (Y1 - Y2) Calculated from plot
Y1 - calculated √ = f0
- (assumed) - calculated √ = f1
- (assumed) - calculated √ = f2
- (assumed) - calculated √= f3
Y2 - calculated √ = fn
∗
Figure: Calculation of ( ) for packed column.
Where:
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
= + + +
Where:
−
= , = , , , ,…….. .
Notes:
= , = , = , =
* If the tower type is not mention in the problem we can take it as a packed tower.
Example (1):
Solution:
y = (1 − ) y = (1 − 0.99)(0.1) = 0.001
y 0.1
= = = 0.11
1−y 1 − 0.1
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
y 0.001
= = = 0.001
1−y 1 − 0.001
0.95 kmol
= = 0.0341
[(0.1)(17) + (0.9)(29)] m .s
0.65 kmol
= = 0.0361
(18) m .s
G 0.0307
HOG = = = 0.38 m
KoG. a. P (0.0008)(101.3)
= ( − ) +
( − )
m Gs (0.8)(0.0307)
ϕ= = = 0.68
Ls (0.0361)
1 0.11
NOG = ln (1 − 0.68) + 0.68 = 11.19
(1 − 0.68) 0.001
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
Example (2):
kmol NH3/kmol water: 0.021 0.031 0.042 0.053 0.079 0.106 0.159
Partial pressure NH3 in 1.6 2.4 3.3 4.2 6.7 9.3 15.2
gas phase (kN/m2):
Solution:
P .
ℎ , = = = .
P 101.3
0.0158
ℎ ,Y = = = .
1− 1 − 0.0158
G 0.034
HOG = = = 0.419 m
KoG. a 0.081
= ∗)
( −
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
The equilibrium data may be not linear relation, so that the integration should be solved by
plotting or by Simpson's rule as follows:
y 0.1
= = = 0.11
1−y 1 − 0.1
y 0.001
= = = 0.001
1−y 1 − 0.001
.
= ( − )+ = ( . − . )+
̅ .
= 0.0935
Operating line:
−
= , ℎ =4
. − .
= = 0.02725
∗
Calculate from the plot as follows:
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
( − ∗)
Assume points between (Y1 - Y2) Calculated from plot
0.11 0.088 45.45 = f0
0.08275 0.061 45.98 = f1
0.05550 0.0375 55.56 = f2
0.02825 0.0175 93.02 = f3
0.001 0.00 1000 = fn
= + + +
0.02725
= [ . + + ( . ) + [( . )+( . )]]
= 15.56
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
The minimum liquid (solvent) flow rate is calculated when the exit solvent concentration
from the absorber (X1) is in equilibrium with the entering gas concentration to the absorber
(Y1). However, this calculations based on the equilibrium relationship natural:
∗
A. If the equilibrium relationship is linear ( = ):
The exit solvent concentration from the absorber (X1) is calculated from the equilibrium
relationship as below:
→ = ……………………………….( )
( − )= ( − )
−
=
−
−
= ……………………………( )
To calculate minimum liquid flow rate we subsititute Eq. (1) into Eq. (2):
− −
= = = 1−
= 1−
: =( . − . )
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
The exit solvent concentration from the absorber (X1) is calculated from the equilibrium
relationship as below:
−
= ∗
−
−
= ∗
∗
Where: the exit liquid concentration which is in equilibrium with ( ) is calculated from
the plot as show bellow:
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
Example (3):
A solute gas is absorbed from a dilute gas-air mixture by counter current scrubbing with a
solvent in a packed tower. The equilibrium relation is Y = m X. Show that the number of
transfer units (NOG) required is given by the following equation:
= − +
−
If (99%) of the solute is to be recovered using a liquid rate of 1.75 times the minimum and the
height of transfer unit is (1 m). What the height of packing will be required.
Solution:
Z = HOG * NOG
L Y
=m 1−
G Y
=( − ) = (1 − 0.99) Y = 0.01 Y
Y = 0.01 Y
L 0.01 Y
=m 1− = 0.99 m
G Y
L L
= 1.75 = (1.75) (0.99 m) = 1.7325 m
G G
m Gs m
ϕ= = = 0.577
Ls 1.7325 m
= ( − ) +
( − )
1 Y
NOG = ln (1 − 0.577) + 0.577
(1 − 0.577) 0.01 Y
NOG = 8.88
Overall material balance on the solute (A) over an element (∂z) based on liquid phase:
= = .
∗
= + − =( )( )( − )
Where:
= =
∗
=( . )( . )( − )
∗
=( . )( )( − )
= ∗
( . ). ( − )
( ⁄ )
= ∗
. ( − )
̅
= ∗
. ( − )
Where:
̅
= ∶ heiht of transfer unit (HTU) based on liquid phase, with the units of (m).
.
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
= ∗
… … … … … … … … … … … . . (1)
( − )
∗
= … … … … … … … … … … … … (2)
( − )= ( − ) … … … … … … … … … … … . . (3)
= ( − )+
= + … … … … … … … … … … … . (4)
∗
= + = + … … … … … … … … … … … … (5)
= ( − ) +
( − )
: =
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
( ).
∗
3. Create the table below by calculated ( ) from the plot as below:
( ∗ − )
Assume points between (X1 - X2) Calculated from plot
X1 - calculated √ = f0
- (assumed) - calculated √ = f1
- (assumed) - calculated √ = f2
- (assumed) - calculated √= f3
X2 - calculated √ = fn
∗
Figure: Calculation of ( ) for packed column.
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Mass Transfer Third Year Dr. ARKAN JASIM HADI
4. To calculate NOL we draw [ ] Vs. [X] to find the area under the curve:
( ∗ )
Where:
= + + +
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