CHE3165

Separation Processes
S1 2015

GAS ABSORPTION IN PACKED

TOWERS

Leaning Outcomes
By the end of the lecture you should be able to:
1. Define rate based method for packed columns
2. Define Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate (HETP) and explain
how it and the number of equilibrium stages differ with the height of a
transfer unit (HTU) and number of transfer units (NTU)
3. Explain the differences between loading point and flooding point in a
packed column
4. Estimate the packed height

Contents
1

Introduction

Mole balance

Absorption of very dilute mixtures

Transfer unit

Absorption of concentrated mixtures

Absorption of semi-dilute mixtures

Controlling resistance
3

1. Introduction
Absorption:
Solute A absorbed from the gas phase into the liquid phase OR a
process involves molecular/mass transfer of solute A through a
stagnant, non-diffusing gas B into a stagnant liquid C
Gas-Liquid System: Solute transfer from Gas Liquid

Adsorption:
Components of a liquid or gas stream adsorbed on the surface or in the
pores of a solid adsorbent.

Gas/Liquid Solid System: Solute transfer from Gas/Liquid

Solid

 Stripping:
Reverse of absorption
Liquid Gas System: Solute transfer from Liquid Gas

Tray and packed bed columns

yo, V, Vo
xi, L, Li

L = Liquid stream total flow rate

V = Gas stream total flow rate
L = Inert (carrier) liquid flow rate
V = Inert gas flow rate
yA = Mass/mole fraction of A in gas
stream
xA = Mass/mole fraction of A in liquid
stream

yi, V, Vi

xo, L, Lo

Example 1 (Geankoplis: Example 10.3-2)

It is desired to absorb 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 30.0 kg mol/h and the total inlet pure water flow to be used
to absorb the acetone is 90kg mol H2O/h.
Identify all the unknowns: xi, L, Li, yi, V, Vi, yo, Vo, xo, Lo
Solution:
Vi = 30 kgmol/h
yi = 0.01
V = 30 (1-0.01) = 29.7 kgmol/h
L = 90 kgmol/h
xi = 0
Li = 90 kgmol/h
Ac in V0 = 30 (0.01) (1-0.9) = 0.03 kgmol/h
Ac in L0 = 30 (0.01) (0.9) = 0.27 kgmol/h
V0 = 29.7 + 0.03 kgmol/h = 29.73 kgmol/h
L0 = 90 + 0.27 kgmol/h = 90.27 kgmol/h
y0 = 0.03/29.73 = 0.00101
x0 = 0.27/90.27 = 0.003

yo, V, Vo
xi, L, Li

yi, V, Vi

xo, L, Lo
8

Example 2 (Geankoplis: Example 10.3-1)

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
kgmol water/h. Calculate the amounts and compositions of the two outlet phases. Assume that water
does not vaporize to the gas phase.
Solution:

L=300
xA2=0

V1?
yA1?

V=100
yA2=0.2
V =?
L1?
XA1?

V2, y2 L2, x2
Gas Liquid
(2)

z2=Z

V and L = total molar flow rates

Packing
A total interfacial area (m2)
a interfacial area per unit volume of packed
tower (m2/m3)
S cross sectional area of tower (m)
Z Bed height (m)

z1=0

(1)

Gas Liquid
V1, y1 L1, x1

A = a x vol. of packed tower

= a x (S x Z)

Function of packing is to generate largest

possible interfacial area for the smallest
possible gas pressure drop.
10

Packed Tower Operation

Flooding velocity:
Upper limit to the rate of gas
flow. Liquid can no longer flow
Optimum economic: V 0.5
flooding velocity = f(equipment
cost, P, processing variables)

Loading point:
Gas flow rate where liquid down
flow starts to be hindered by
gas

11

Packing Materials

12

Packing Materials

13

Packing Materials

http://finepacstructures.tradeindia.com

14

Packing Materials

Random

Structured

Raschig rings
and saddles

Through flow

Relative cost

Low

Moderate

High

Pressure drop

Moderate

Low

Very low

Efficiency

Moderate

High

Very high

Vapor capacity

Fairly high

High

High

15

Example 3 (Geankoplis: Example 10.6-2)

A tray tower is to be designed to absorb SO2 from an air stream by using pure
water at 293K. 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.
y1
Solution

L
xo

V
yn+1

xn ??

2. Mole Balance
Mole balance for solute over differential volume of tower:
- We can choose either gas or liquid phase.

VY = V(Y+dY)
(in at z)

(out at z+dz) (transfer to liquid)

VdY = - d

17

Write in terms of flux and area, and Y in terms of y:

V ' dY - dn
' y
- N.dA
V d
1- y
V

'

dy
(1- y)

- NaS dz
Volume

dy
V
- NaS dz
(1 - y)

18

Separating variables

V
dy
dz

NaS (1 - y)
Integrating from (1) to (2)
y2

z2

z1

dz

y1

V dy

Z
NaS (1- y)

This is the most general equation relating total packed height (z) to gasphase variables.
19

If we balance the liquid phase alone, an analogous equation is obtained:

x2

x1

L
dx

NaS (1 - x)

To evaluate the integrals, we need V(y), N(y) or L(x), N(x)

20

For gas phase analysis:

N K y y y * or

Solute flux

N k y y y i or

N K G PA - PA* or
N k G PA - PAi
Choose overall Ky as typical case

K 'y
y BLM

y y 1- y y y
*

K 'y

*LM

Across gas film

21

1- y *LM

1- y - 1- y *

1- y

ln
1- y *
f(y)

1- y *LM

varies up the tower

22

y2

y1
y2

V dy

NaS (1 - y)
V

K aS
'
y

y1

V
z
S

'

1- y *LM
(1- y)

dy
(y y * )

1- y *LM dy

K ' aS(1- y)2 (y y * )

y1 y
y2

K 'y

y y

N K y y y*

1- y *LM

V'
V
1 y
a may vary with V (i.e. with y)
Ky is a function of flowrate V
V solvent-only flow and S tower
cross section area are the only true
constant
To further progress, need to make
simplifying assumptions!!!
23

3. Absorption of very dilute mixtures

Assumptions:
1. Very dilute solutions (x, y less than 0.1 or 10%)
2. Linear equilibrium (i.e. Henry)
y2

Start with

K aS

y1

'
y

1- y *LM
(1- y)

V varies only slightly from (1) to (2)

Use

V1 V2
VAVE
2

dy
(y y * )
V = f(y)

V'
V
1 y

Kya will be nearly constant

because V ~ constant
24

(1 y) ~ 1

(1 y)*LM ~ 1

1- y *LM
(1 - y)
y2

K aS

y1

1- y *LM

'
y

VAVE

y2

(1- y)
- dy

K 'y aS y1 (y

y )
*

dy
(y y * )

Approximate

25

This integral can be evaluated analytically if Henrys law holds

Mass balance (operating line):

straight line if V & L are constant
from (1) to (2)
(y y*) f(y) is stright line
Say (y - y*) y
d(y - y*) dy
dy

d(y - y*)

put (y y1, y* y *1 ) & (y y 2 , y* y *2 )

(y 2 - y *2 ) (y 1 - y *1 )
y 2 - y1

(y y*)
y
26

VAVE

y2

K 'y aS y1

- d(y - y*)
(y y*)

V
1
z 'AVE ln
K aS

y 2 - y *2
y1 y1*

(y 2 - y *2 ) (y 1 - y *1 )
y 2 - y1

*
V

(y

y
)(

1)
y
y
2
1
2 2
z 'AVE
ln
K aS (y - y * ) (y - y * ) y y *
2
2
1
1
1 1
y

These terms make up a log mean

V
(-1)(y y )
2
1
z 'AVE
K aS (y - y*)LM (1)-(2)
y
27

Similar expressions hold for the various forms of N

V
(-1)(y y )
AVE
2
1

z '
k aS (y - y i )LM (1)-(2)
y
L AVE (-1)(x 2 x1 )

z '
k aS (x - x)
LM (1) -(2)
x i
L AVE (-1)(x 2 x1 )

z '
K aS (x * - x)
LM (1) -(2)
x
We usually choose the phase which is controlling the rate
(i.e. the phase with the greatest mass transfer resistance)

28

Re-arrange

V
y1 - y 2 k 'y az(y y i )M
S
L
x1 - x 2 k 'x az(xi x)M
S
V
y1 - y 2 K 'y az(y y*)M
S
L
x1 - x 2 K 'x az(x * -x)M
S

29

How to find mole fraction at interface and equilibrium ???

y
y1,x1

yi1
y*1

y2,x2

Dilute
solution

yi2

y*2

xi1
xi2

30

Example 4 (Geankoplis: Example 10.6-4)

Acetone is being absorbed by water in a packed tower having a cross-sectional
area of 0.186 m2 at 293K and 101.32 kPa. The inlet air contains 2.6 mol%
acetone and outlet 0.5%. The gas flow is 13.65 kgmol inert air/h. Pure water inlet
flow is 45.36 kg mol water/h. Film coefficients for the given flows in the tower at
kya = 3.78 x 10-2 kgmol/s.m3.mol frac and kxa = 6.16 x 10-2 kgmol/s.m3.mol frac.
(a) Calculate the tower height using kya.
(b) Repeat using kxa.
(c) Calculate Kya and the tower height.
Solution
V
y1 - y 2 k 'y az(y y i )M
S
L
x1 - x 2 k 'x az(xi x)M
S
V
y1 - y 2 K 'y az(y y*)M
S
L
x1 - x 2 K 'x az(x * -x)M
S
31

4. Transfer Units
Z = Hy Ny

z
(m)

VAVE
k 'y aS

y2

y1

- dy
(y y i )

Z = Hx Nx
If OVERALL coefficients are
used to describe the flux:
Z = Hoy Noy

(m)

HEIGHT of a
gas film
transfer unit

Dimensionless

Number of a
gas film
transfer unit

Heights of transfer units have been

correlated with operating variables
(i.e. V, L, packing type and size)

Z = Hox Nox

Depending on concentration
units and coefficients used
Z = HG NG = H L NL

Z = HOG NOG = HOL NOL

HG Hy; NG Ny; HOG Hoy;
NOG Noy
32

V
HG '

k y aS k y a(1- y)iM S

y1 - y 2
NG
(y - y i )M

x1 - x 2
NL
(x i - x)M

L
HL '

k x aS k x a(1- x)iM S
HOG
HOL

V
'

K y aS K y a(1- y)*M S
L

L
'

K x aS K x a(1- x)*M S

NOG

y1 - y 2

(y - y*)M

NOL

x1 - x 2

(x * -y)M

33

34

Example 5 (Geankoplis: Example 10.6-5)

Repeat Example 5 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
Solution

35

Correlation form:

V L
HG Sc 0.5
S S
L
HL
SL

Sc 0.5

Constants , , , , for different packings and sizes

(Geankoplis 10.8b)

36

V
Hy
S

Slope ~ 0.43 on log-log graph

eg. correlation for inch Raschig

rings with NH3/H2O

37

Absorption Column Size

Height Mass transfer (Hy Ny)
Diameter Hydraulics Two
phase flow over packing; gas
pressure drop - Design (Flooding
and loading)

Difficult to locate precisely

(deviation from standard line)
Loading curve nearly vertical

Operate close to loading, ~1/2

flooding

38

39

Analytical equation to calculate theoretical number of trays

For transfer of the solute from phase V to phase L (absorption)

y1 - mx2

(1 1/A) 1/A
ln
y 2 - mx2

N
ln A
For transfer of the solute from phase L to phase V (stripping)

x 2 - y1/m

(1 A) A
ln
x1 - y1/m

N
ln (1/A)
A1 L1/m1V1, A 2 L 2 /m2 V2 and A A1A 2
40

Analytical equation to calculate packed bed height

Operating and/or equilibrium lines are slightly curved
Absorption

NOG

y1 - mx 2
1
1/A

ln (1 1/A)
1- 1/A

y 2 - mx2

Stripping

NOL

x 2 - y1/m
1
A

ln (1 A)
1- A

x1 - y1/m

41

Analytical equation to calculate packed bed height

When the operating and equilibrium lines are straight

NOG

N lnA

1- 1/A

The height of a theoretical tray or stage, HETP, in m is related to HOG by

HETP HOG

ln(1/A)
1- A /A

z = HOG x NOG
z = N x HETP

See Example 10.6-5

42

Example 6:
Experimental data have been obtained for air containing 1.6% of SO2
being scrubbed by pure water in a packed bed column of 1.5m2
cross-sectional area and 3.5 m in packed height. Entering gas and
liquid flow rates are 0.062 and 2.2 kmol/s, respectively. If the outlet
mole fraction of SO2 in the gas is 0.004. m = 40. Calculate NOG.
Solutions

43

5. Absorption of concentrated mixtures

Dilute mixtures
y2

Concentrated mixtures
1

1- y iLM

dy
z

'
k aS (1 - y) (y y i )
y1 y

Approximate

VAVE

y2

V 1- y
dy
iLM

'
k aS (1 - y) (y y i )

y1 y
y2

The only constant

- dy

K 'y aS y1 (y y * )

Each term (or bracketed terms) needs to

be calculated for a range of values of y
between y1 and y2. Then, evaluate the
integral numerically (or graphically) in
order to find yi between y1 and y2.
44

We need the whole operating curve from (1) to (2). This is obtained from a
series of mass balances between (1) and a range of points up to (2).

45

Sherwood suggests that (1-y)*LM and (1-y*) can often replace the true interface
values if the liquid resistance is small. The * values are much easier to get
since ky need not be known.

46

47

Example 6 (Geankoplis: Example 10.7-1)

A tower packed with 25.4 mm ceramic rings is to be designed to absorb SO2
from air by using pure water at 293K and 1.013 x 105Pa abs pressure. The
entering gas contains 20 mol% SO2 and that leaving 2 mol%. The inert air
flow is 6.53 x 10-4 kg mol air/s and the inert water flow is 4.20 x 10-2 kg mol
water/s. The tower cross-sectional area is 0.0929 m2. For dilute SO2, the
film mass-transfer coefficients at 293 K are, for 25.4 mm rings:
kya = 0.0594Gy0.7Gx0.25
kxa = 0.152Gx0.82
Gx and Gy are kg total liquid/gas per sec per m2 tower cross section.
Calculate the tower height.
Solution

48

6. Absorption of semi-dilute mixtures

Dilute enough to use VAVE or LAVE and constant Kya or Kxa

V 1- y
dy
*LM

z '

K aS (1- y) (y y*)

y1 y
y2

V
y2 1- y
(-dy)
AVE
*LM

K ' aS
(1- y) (y y*)
y y1

Always check this for ~ 1.0. If yes, need only evaluate

Which is relatively simple (numerical or graphical)

y2

y1

dy
yy*

49

7. Controlling resistance
i) Liquid film controlling (eg. gas almost insoluble O2/H2O)

50

7. Controlling resistance
ii) Gas film controlling (eg. gas very soluble or react with liquid NH3/H2O)

51