Gas Liquid Contact Operations

Applications

Lecture Objectives

To derive general equations applicable

to gas-liquid contact operations
To apply the general equations to the
following gas-liquid contact operations:
Adiabatic Humidification
Dehumidification
Cooling Tower Operation

©UST Ch.E. Department

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 Gas Liquid Contact Operations
(A Review)
Usual Equipment: Packed Tower
Air Out Water In

1. Adiabatic Humidification – air is cooled

by water resulting in the evaporation of
some water under adiabatic conditions
2. Dehumidification – saturated air is cooled
by water resulting in the condensation of
some water vapor from the air
3. Cooling Tower Operation – water is cooled
by the air resulting in the evaporation of
some air

Air In Water Out ©UST Ch.E. Department

Nomenclature

t 2 , H2 L2, w = dry air rate = constant

w T2 L = water rate = variable
T = water temperature
t = air temperature
H= absolute humidity of air
Cs = humid heat of air
H = air enthalpy
h = water enthalpy
Z = height of packing or chamber length
S = cross-sectional area = /4 D2
w ky = MTC based on H
t 1 , H1 L1, UG = over-all air based HTC
©UST Ch.E. Department
T1

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 General Equations

t 2 , H2 L2,
T2 Water Balance:
w
w H =  L
Mass Transfer Equation:
w H = ky a S Z HLM

Heat Transfer Equation:

w CS  t = UG a S Z TLM
Enthalpy Balance:
w  H =  (L h)
w
t 1 , H1 L1, ©UST Ch.E. Department
T1

Application to Adiabatic Humifidication

air i water
t 2 , H2 L2, T H = Hi - H
Hi
w Hi = HS at Ti
H T=t-T
t
At adiabatic conditions:
Ti T Ti = T = tas = twb

WB: w(H2 – H1) = L2 – L1 = E = M

MTE: w(H2 – H1) = k’ a S Z HLM
HTE: w CS(t1 – t2) = UG a S Z TLM
H1 - H2 T1 - T2
HLM= TLM=
w H1 T1
ln ln
t 1 , H1 L1, T M H2 T2
(make up water) ©UST Ch.E. Department

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 Adiabatic Humidification in PC

tas1 = tas2
H2

H1

t2 t1

©UST Ch.E. Department

Application to Dehumidification
i
t 2 , H2 L2, H = H - Hi
T2 H
w Hi = HS at Ti
t Hi
T=t-T
Ti T For simplification:
Assume Ti = T

WB: w(H1 – H2) = L1 – L2 = C

MTE: w(H1 – H2) = ky a S Z HLM
HTE: w CS(t1 – t2) = UG a S Z TLM
H1 - H2 T1 - T2
HLM= TLM=
H1 T1
w ln ln
H2 T2
t 1 , H1 L1, EB: w (H1 – H2) = L1 h1 – L2 ©UST
h2 Ch.E. Department
T1

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 Dehumidification in PC

H1

H2

t2 t1

©UST Ch.E. Department

Application to Cooling Tower Operation

i
t 2 , H2 L2, H = Hi - H
T2 Hi
w Hi = HS at Ti
H T
T=T- t
Ti
t For simplification:
Assume Ti = T

WB: w(H2 – H1) = L2 – L1 = E

MTE: w(H2 – H1) = ky a S Z HLM
HTE: w CS(t1 – t2) = UG a S Z TLM
H1 - H2 T1 - T2
HLM= TLM=
H1 T1
w ln ln
H2 T2
t 1 , H1 L1, EB: w (H2 – H1) = L2 h2 – L1 h1 ©UST Ch.E. Department
T1

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 Cooling Tower Operation in PC

H2

H1

t1 t2

©UST Ch.E. Department

Examples

1. An adiabatic humidifier will be used to cool air at 45oC to

30oC. Make up water is available at 25oC. Assume an
entering water mass velocity of 1200 kg/m2-hr and dry
air mass velocity of 1000 kg/m2-hr. Over-all heat transfer
coefficient based on the air is 200 W/m3-K. If the air enters
at 2000 L/min, determine:
a) Absolute Humidities of entering and exit air
b) Mass Rates of Entering and Make Up Water
c) Column Diameter
d) Height of Packing
e) Mass Transfer Coefficient, ky

©UST Ch.E. Department

6
 Examples

2. A dehumidifier will be used to cool saturated air at 40oC to

30oC. Water is available at 20oC. Assume an entering water
mass velocity of 2000 kg/m2-hr and dry air mass velocity of
1000 kg/m2-hr. Over-all heat transfer coefficient based on
the air is 200 W/m3-K. If the air enters at 2000 L/min, determine:
a) Absolute Humidities of entering and exit air
b) Mass Rates of Entering and Exit Water
c) Exit Temperature of Water
d) Column Diameter
e) Height of Packing
f) Mass Transfer Coefficient, kya

©UST Ch.E. Department

Examples

3. A cooling tower will be used to cool water at 50oC to 35oC.

Air enters at 20oC, with 35% RH. Assume an entering water
mass velocity of 1200 kg/m2-hr and dry air mass velocity of
1000 kg/m2-hr. Over-all heat transfer coefficient based on
the air is 200 W/m3-K. If the air enters at 2000 L/min, determine:
a) Absolute Humidities of entering and exit air
b) Mass Rates of Entering and Exit Water
c) Exit Temperature of the air if it has 80% Humidity
d) Column Diameter
e) Height of Packing
f) Mass Transfer Coefficient, kya

©UST Ch.E. Department