CHAPTER

NINE
GAS ABSORPTION

9.2

Pressure Drop in a Packed Tower

The satisfaction and good fortune of the scientist lies not in the peace of possessing knowledge but in the toil of continually increasing it. MAX PLANCK

Chapter 9: GAS ABSORPTION

9.2. PRESSURE DROP IN A PACKED TOWER

Keywords: Packed tower, pressure drop, Erguns correlation, Leva correlation, Bernoulli equation, countercurrent flow.

9.2.1. Object The object of this experiment is to demonstrate the effect of variations in the liquid and gas feed rates on the pressure drop in a countercurrent packed tower gas absorber.

9.2.2. Theory Packed tower absorbers are frequently used to strip out one component of a gas stream. In gas absorption, a gas stream containing a transferable solute is contacted with a nonvolatile liquid containing little or no solute. The gas and liquid streams may be arranged in cocurrent or countercurrent flow. The former is common when the absorbed gas reacts chemically in the liquid phase, but in general countercurrent flow is used. Countercurrent flow ensures that the depleted gas about to leave the column encounters fresh liquid, the best possible absorbent. Near the bottom of the column, the liquid already contains much dissolved gas but it encounters the richest gas and further transfer is possible. Wide variations in operating conditions are possible since each stream may be perfectly mixed, partly mixed or quite unmixed. In addition, it will be assumed that operation is isothermal. The pressure losses accompanying the flow of fluids through columns packed with granular material are caused by simultaneous kinetic and viscous energy losses. The essential factors determining the energy loss, i.e. pressure drop, in packed beds are: 1. Rate of fluid flow 2. Viscosity and density of the fluid 3. Closeness and orientation of packing 4. Size shape and surface of the particles The first two variables concern the fluid, while the last two the solids.

Packed towers used for continuous countercurrent contact of liquid and gas are vertical columns which have been filled with packings. The liquid is distributed over and trickles down through the packed bed, thus exposing a large surface to contact the gas. The frictional losses increase as the gas flow rate is increased. Since both the gas and the liquid are competing for the free crosssectional area left by packing, an increase in liquid flow rate will result in an increase in the frictional losses. At high gas flow rates, the liquid is prevented from draining down the tower by the frictional drag of the gas on the liquid. As a result, flooding occurs due to the accumulation of the liquid. The pressure drop in this condition is extremely high. In ordinary operation of a packed tower the liquid circulated over the packing occupies an appreciable fraction of the voids and reduces the mean free cross-section open to passage of the gas. Thus in columns with wet packings, at a seemingly constant superficial gas velocity, the actual gas velocity is increased, and the pressure drop is appreciably greater than when the packing is dry. 9.2.3. Apparatus The apparatus is shown in Figure 9.2.1. The unit consists of a 3 (7.6 cm) column section filled to a height of 150 cm with (3/8) Raschig rings. Air and water are the feed materials.

9.2.4. Experimental Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Check that air pressure manometer reading is zero. Open the gas flow control valve and set the gas flow rate to a certain value. Allow the column to settle down and measure the pressure difference. Remeasure the pressure difference at different gas flow rates. Close the gas control valve, and then open the liquid (water) feed control valve. Set the liquid flow rate to a certain value and open the gas flow control valve. Allow the column to settle down and then read the pressure difference on the manometer. With the same liquid flow rate, repeat the same procedure at different gas flow rates, noting the corresponding pressure drops. Choose a suitable fixed gas flow rate and vary the liquid rate over the range available, recording corresponding pressure drops. 10. Repeat the procedure until you make at least five measurements at each gas and liquid flow rate.

Chapter 9: GAS ABSORPTION

Figure 9.2.1. Gas absorption apparatus.

1.) Liquid inlet 2.) Liquid flowmeter 3.) Liquid control valve 4.) Liquid flow line 5.) Gas inlet 6.) Gas flowmeter 7.) Gas control valve

8.) Pressure tap point 9.) Gas vent 10.) Packed tower 11.) Liquid exit 12.) Liquid seal 13.) Drain valve

9.2.5. Report Objectives 1. Compare your pressure drop data with pressure drop values estimated from literature correlations for a packed tower absorber, i.e., Erguns correlation for dry columns and Leva correlation for wetted columns. 2. Show the effects of the gas and liquid flow rates on the pressure drop.

9.2.6. References 1. 2. 3. Ergun, S., Fluid Flow through Packed Columns, Chemical Engineering Progress, Vol 48, No. 2, 1952. McCabe, W. L., and J. C. Smith, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 1967. Perry, R.H. and D. Green, Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook, 6th edition, McGrawHill, Japan, 1984.