CHAPTER 3:

ABSORPTION
PROCESS
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Explain gas absorption and (desorption), and the

method of contacting between gas-liquid phase.

Explain the choice of solvents in gas absorption

Derive the operating line equation for counter-

current operation and understand the graphical
representation.

Use graphical method to determine the number of

theoretical trays required for separation
 INTRODUCTION
Absorption, or gas absorption, is a unit
operation used in the chemical
industry to separate gases by washing
or scrubbing a gas mixture with a
suitable liquid.
 DEFINITION:
Mass transfer of the component of the gas from
the gas phase to the liquid phase.

Gas mixture is contacted with a liquid for the

purposes of preferentially dissolving one/more
components of gas and to provide a solution of
them in the liquid.

Gas mixture = inert gas + solute.

Solute = transferred component.
 Purpose Of Absorption

To obtain or remove the DESIRED

component of Vapor Mixture with the usage
of a LIQUID SOLVENT based on
SOLUBILITY characteristic of the
component towards the Liquid Solvent.
 EXAMPLE:
NH3 that is diffusing from an gaseous air-NH3 mixture into liquid phase water.

Liquid Gas Liquid Gas

Solvent A B B solvent A

Nonvolatile Component to be
eg: water Carrier & insoluble removed
e.g: air+ NH3 e.g: NH3

Ammonia - desired component

Air unwanted component
Result : To absorb ammonia, water is used as a solvent & air free of ammonia
 Example of applications
Removal of ammonia, benzene and
toluene from coke gas
Removal of SO2 from stack gas
Removal of CO2 from synthesis gas
Air pollution control, the various oxides
of nitrogen can be removed by
absorption with water, sulphuric acid,
and organic solutions
 Table
below showed representative
commercial absorption applications:
 GAS ABSORPTION OPERATION
Two methods of contacting the gas and liquid :
Counter-current operation
Co-current operation

Counter-current Co-current
Application of Packed Absorption Tower

Most common type of absorption tower

High flowrate of liquid solvent
Based on diagram:
Air-mixture enter at the bottom
Liquid solvent enter via liquid distributor(3)
Packed section (2) : air-mixture contact liquid
Air will rise up
Liquid+gas at the bottom
Liquid solvent will recycle to fully utilize
Some of the liquid solvent will be remove for further treatment
to obtain desired comp.
Make-up stream : to add some more liq solvent if some amount
is lost by vapourization or not much left at the bottom since
some has already being withdrawn.
PLATE COLUMN ABSORPTION TOWER
Suitable for low flowrate of liquid solvent

Based on diagram :
Air-mixture enter at the bottom.
Liquid solvent enter at the top and flow downward by
gravity
Solvent will flow across each tray and flows down the
tray below
Type of column : bubble tray or sieve tray
Type of flow : counter-currrent most popular
 SOLVENT PROPERTIES
Gas solubility

Miscellaneous Volatility

SOLVENT

Viscosity Corrosiveness

Cost
 Gas solubility
Solute gas should be high solubility into solvent
thus increase the rate of absorption and decrease
the quantity of solvent required.

Volatility
Solvent non volatile.
Have low vapor pressure to reduce loss of solvent
in the gas leaving an absorption column.

Corrosiveness
Material of construction should not be unusual or
expensive.
 Cost
Solvent should be inexpensive, losses are not
costly and should be readily available.

Viscosity
Low viscosity to increase absorption rate, improved
flooding characteristics in absorption tower, low
pressure drop on pumping and good heat transfer
characteristics.

Others
Solvent should be nontoxic, nonflammable and
chemically stable and have low freezing point.
gas-phase pollutant is brought into
close contact with the liquid to
facilitate diffusion across the gas-liquid
interface.
gaseous pollutant diffuse through a
thin boundary layer on the gas side of
the interface (gas film) and a thin
boundary layer on the liquid side of the
interface (liquid film.).
Once the pollutant enters the liquid
phase, it can simply dissolve, or it can
react with other chemicals also in the
liquid.
Once the pollutant in the liquid phase
has reached its solubility limit, there is no
net transfer of pollutant across the gas-
liquid interface.
At this point, equilibrium has been
reached whereby the amount of
gaseous pollutant that continues to
dissolve equals the amount coming out
of solution and reentering the gas
phase.
Henry's law can be used to determine
the solubility limit of absorption.
 GAS-LIQUID EQUILIBRIUM
PA H . X A
When the solution is non-ideal, Raoult's Law cannot be applied.
For non-ideal solution, use Henry's Law which states that:

p A H .x A
yA H xA '

Where,
pA = partial pressure of component A .
H = Henrys law constant (pressure/mol fraction).
y H x '
H = Henrys law constant (molAfrac.gas/mol frac.liquid)
A
= H/P(dimensionless).
xA = mole fraction of component A in liquid.
yA = mole fraction of component A in gas = pA/P.
P = total pressure (atm).
In Figure 10.2-1, the data follow Henrys Law up to a concentration xA of
about 0.005, where H=29.6atm/mol frac. In general, up to a total
pressure of about 5 atm, the value of H is independent of P.
 EXAMPLE 1

What will be the concentration of oxygen dissolved in

water at 298K when the solution is in equilibrium with air
at 1 atm total pressure? Given partial pressure of
oxygen in air is 0.21 atm and the Henrys Law constant
is 4.38 X 104 atm/mol fraction.
 SOLUTION
The partial pressure pA of oxygen (A) in air is 0.21atm.
Apply Henrys Law;
pA=HxA
0.21atm=(4.38 X 104 atm/mol frac )(xA)
xA=4.795 X 10-6 mol frac
It means that 4.795 X 10-6 mol oxygen is dissolved in 1.0
mol water plus oxygen.
 SINGLE-STAGE EQUILIBRIUM
CONTACT FOR GAS-LIQUID SYSTEM

Assuming 3 components A,B and C are present in

the streams, making balance on A & C
No need to do balance for B because:
xA + xB + xC = 1.0
 The mass fraction of A in L stream is xA and V stream is yA.
The mass fraction of A in M stream is xAM.

Since the component A is the only component that

redistribute between the two phases, a balance on A
can be written as:

Where L = moles inert water C Constant and

V = moles inert air B usually known
 EXAMPLE 2
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 293K. The two exit gas and liquid streams reach
equilibrium. The inlet gas flow rate is 100 kg mole/hr, with a
mole fraction of CO2 of yA2=0.20. The liquid flow rate entering
is 300 kg mole water/hr. Make a balance on CO2(A) and
calculate the amounts and compositions of the two outlet
phases. Assume that the water does not vaporize to the gas
phase.
 SOLUTION:

The inert water flow is L=L0=300 kg mole/hr

The inert air flow V=V(1-yA)
Hence, V=V2(1-yA2)=100(1-0.20)=80 kg mole/hr
Then, substitute into this equation:

Eq 2
Balance on CO2
 CONT
From properties table, Henrys law constant,
H=0.142 X 104 atm/mole.frac.
Then, H=H/P=(0.142 X 104 atm/mole.frac)/1atm
=0.142 X 104 mole frac gas/mole frac liq
Substituting in Henrys law equation,
yA1=0.142 X 104 xA1 ------------Eq 2
Solve simultaneously
xA1=1.41 X 10-4
yA1=0.20
 CONT

*Since the liquid solution is so dilute, L0L1

COUNTER-CURRENT MULTIPLE
CONTACT STAGES

Overall balance on all stages;

VN+1 is mole/hr entering

LN is mole/hr leaving
M is total flow
Overall component balance on A,B or C;

x and y are mole fraction

The flows are in mass flowrate or mole
flowrate
Total balance over the first n
stages;

Component balance over the first n

stages;

Rearrange the equation to get yn+1;

 Equilibrium line relates the compositions of two streams
leaving a stage in equilibrium which each other.

To determine the number of ideal stages required to

bring about a given separation or reduction of the
concentration of A from yN+1 to y1, the calculation is
often done graphically.
 Starting at stage 1, y1 and x0 are on the operating line.
The vapor y1 leaving is in equilibrium with the leaving x1
and both composition are on the equilibrium line.
Then, y2 and x1 are on the operating line and y2 is
equilibrium in x2, and so on.
Each stage is represented by a step drawn in the figure.
The steps are continued on the graph until yN+1 is
reached.
Alternatively, we can start at yN+1 and draw the steps
going to y1.
 EXAMPLE 3
It is desired to absorb 90% of the acetone in the gas
containing 1.0 mol% acetone in air in counter-current
stage tower. The total inlet gas flow to the tower is 30 kg
mol/hr, and total inlet pure water flow to be used to
absorb the acetone is 90 kg mol H20/hr. The process is to
operate isothermally at 300 K and a total pressure of
101.3 kPa. The equilibrium relation for the acetone (A) in
gas-liquid is yA=2.53xA. Determine number of theoretical
stages required for this separation.
 SOLUTION
Given:
yAN+1=0.01
xA0=0
VN+1=30 kg mol/hr
L0=90 kg mol/hr
Making acetone material balance;
Amout of entering acetone: yAN+1VN+1=0.01(30)=0.30 kg
mol/hr
Entering air:
(1-yAN+1)VN+1=(1-0.01)(30)=29.7 kg mol air/hr
 Acetone leaving in V1= 0.1(0.30) =0.03 kg mol/hr
Acetone leaving in LN = 0.9(0.30) =0.27 kg mol/hr
V1 = 29.7+0.03= 29.73 kg mol (air+acetone)/hr
yA1 =0.03/29.73 =0.00101
LN = 90+0.27=90.27 kg mol (water+acetone)/hr
xAN =0.27/90.27=0.003
*Since the flow of liquid varies only slightly from L0=90
and LN=90.27 at the outlet and V from 30 to 29.73, the
slope Ln/Vn+1 of operating line is constant.
 Apply this equation;

Slope of the graph

5.2 theoretical stages

 ANALYTICAL EQUATIONS FOR
COUNTERCURRENT STAGE CONTACT
Can be applied if satisfied these 2 conditions:

When the flow rates V and L in a

countercurrent process are essentially
constant, operating line becomes straight.

If the equilibrium line is also a straight line.

 V1 L0
y1 x0

VN+1 LN
yN+1 xN

*A refers to absorption factor

MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES

CONCENTRATION PROFILES IN INTERPHASE MASS TRANSFER

 Solute A diffuse from bulk gas phase G to the liquid
phase L, must pass through (phase G, interphase,
phase L) in series.
Must have concentration gradient.
The average or bulk conc. of A in gas phase in mole
fraction unit is yAG where yAG=pA/P and in the bulk
liquid phase in mole fraction units is xAL.
Conc. in bulk gas phase yAG decreases to yAi at
interphase.
Liquid conc. start at xAi falls to xAL.
Since no resistance in the interphase, yAi and xAi are
in equilibrium.
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS-
TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS AND
INTERPHASE CONCENTRATION

Equimolar
counterdiffusion
2 main cases:
Diffusion of A
through
stagnant B
CASE 1: EQUIMOLAR
COUNTERDIFFUSION
 Point P represents the bulk phase composition yAG and xAL of
two phases.
Point M is the interface concentrations yAi and xAi.
For A diffusing from gas to liquid and B is
equimolarcounterdiffusion;
NA=ky(yAG-yAi)=kx(xAi-xAL)
Where ky=gas phase mass transfer coefficient in
kgmol/s.m2.mol frac
kx=liquid phase mass transfer coefficient in
kgmol/s.m2.mol frac

=

Where (yAG-yAi) is gas phase driving force
(xAL-xAi) is liquid phase driving force

is slope of PM line

 CASE 2: DIFFUSION OF
A THROUGH STAGNANT B
 Point P represents the bulk phase composition yAG
and xAL of two phases.
Point M is the interface concentrations yAi and xAi.
NA=ky(yAG-yAi)=kx(xAi-xAL)

Rearrange Eq 1 &Eq 2;

= , =
(1) (1)
/ 1
is slope of PM line
/ 1
1 (1)
Where (1-yA)iM = 1
ln[1]

1 (1)
(1-xA)iM= 1
ln[ 1]

Then, NA=
=
1
1
 / 1
=
/ 1
When A is diffusing through stagnant B and the
solutions are dilute,
(1-yA)iM and (1-xA)iM 1

To get the slope (Eq 4), a trial and error method is

needed.
1st trial: (1-yA)iM and (1-xA)iMare assumed to be 1.0
Then, get slope using Eq 4 and yAi and xAi
2nd trial: These values of yAi and xAiare used to
calculate new slope to get new yAi and xAi
This is repeated until the interface compositions do
not change. Three trials are usually sufficient.
 OVERALL MASS TRANSFER
COEFFICIENTS AND DRIVING FORCES
Film or single phase mass transfer coefficient ky and
kx or ky and kx are often difficult to measure
experimentally.
Thus, overall mass transfer coefficients Ky and Kx are
measured based on the gas or liquid phase.
NA=Ky(yAG-y*A) and NA=Kx(x*A-xAL)
Where;
Ky is overall gas phase driving force in kgmol/s.m2.mol
frac
y*A is value that would be in equilibrium with xAL
Kx is overall liquid phase driving force in
kgmol/s.m2.mol frac
x*A is value that would be in equilibrium with yAG
 EQUIMOLAR COUNTER DIFFUSION
AND/OR DIFFUSION IN DILUTE SOLUTIONS
NA=ky(yAG-yAi)=kx(xAi-xAL)
yAG-y*A=(yAG-yAi)+(yAi-y*A)
Between point

E and M, the slope m can be given as:

m=

Rearrange equation,
yAG-y*A=(yAG-yAi)+m(xAi-xAL)
Rearrange equation to canceling out NA,
1 1
= +

Gas film resistance

Total resistance Liquid film resistance
 In similar manner,
x*A-xAL=(x*A-x*Ai)+(xAi-xAL)
Between point D and M, the slope m can be given
as:

m=

Rearrange equation to canceling out NA,
1 1 1
= +

When m value is quite small, m/kxis very small.

1 1
So, and yAG-y*AyAG-yAi

When m is very large, 1/(mky) becomes small.
1 1
So, and xAix*A

 DIFFUSION OF A THROUGH
STAGNANT OR NONDIFFUSING B

NA= =
1
1
yAG-y*A=(yAG-yAi)+m(xAi-xAL)
We must define the equations for the flux
using overall coefficients as follows:

NA=[ ] =[ 1 ]
1

Ky=[ ] , Kx=[ ]
1 1
 Rearrange equation to canceling out NA
1 1


= +
/ 1 / 1
1
1 (1)
Where; (1-yA)*M= 1
ln[1
]

Similarly for Kx,

1 1 1

= +
/ 1 / 1
1
1 (1)
Where; (1-xA)*M= 1
ln[1 ]

 DESIGN OF PLATE ABSORPTION
TOWERS
A plate (tray) absorption tower has the same process
flow diagram as counter current multiple stage process.

Overall material balance on component A

A balance around the dashed-line box

Material balance in absorption tray or plate

tower
 EXAMPLE: ABSORPTION
OF SO2 IN A TRAY TOWER
A tray tower is to be designed to absorb SO2 from an air stream
by using pure water at 293 K (680F). 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/hr.m2, and the
entering water flow rate is 6000 kg water/hr.m2. Assuming an
overall tray efficiency of 25%, how many theoretical trays and
actual trays are needed? Assume that the tower operates at
293K (200C). Molecular weight of air and water is 29 kg/kmol
and 18 kg/kmol respectively. The equilibrium curve is plotted
using data for SO2-Water System in Appendix.
 SOLUTION
V1=? L0=6000
y1=0.02 X0=0 (pure water)

T=293K (200C)
P=1 atm

VN+1=150 LN=?
yN+1=0.2 xN=?
 Calculate the molar flow rates
150 kg inert air/hr.m2
V = 29 kg/kmol
=5.18 kmol inert air/hr.m2

6000 kg inert water/hr.m2

L = 18 kg/kmol
=333 kmol inert water/hr.m2
Substituting in material balance,
0 0.20 0.02
333( )+5.18( )=333( )+5.18( )
10 10.20 1 10.02
=0.00355
From graph, 2.4 trays
Efficiency=25%=0.25
The actual no of tray
is=2.4/0.25=9.6 trays
 SIMPLIFIED DESIGN METHODS FOR
ABSORPTION OF DILUTE GAS
MIXTURES IN PACKED TOWERS
The concentration can be considered dilute when
mole fraction gas (y) and liquid (x) are less than 10%
which is 0.1

1 1 1 1
Thus, , , , 1.0
(1) (1) (1) (1)

Since the solution dilute, operating line will be straight.

LENGTH OR HEIGHT OF THE ABSOPRTION COLUMN
 1 1 1 1
Because , , , 1,
(1) (1) (1) (1)
substitute back to z, length or height
equation will get:
 Where S is the cross sectional area of the tower in
m2
The left side is the kg mol absorbed/s.m2
The right side is rate equation for mass transfer
Vav=(V1+V2)/2 and Lav=(L1+L2)/2

V1= and V2= , LL1L2Lav
11 12
Material balance in absorption packed tower
STEPS TO CALCULATE HEIGHT,Z FOR
PACKED ABSORPTION TOWER
Plot the operating line (just need two coordinates [x1,y1]
as P1 and [x2,y2] as P2.------straight line
Calculate Vav and Lav
Plot equilibrium line (data refer to Appendix)
kya and kxa will be given
If use Kya is used, have to find y1* and y2* while if Kxa is
used, have to find x1* and x2*. Usually, you have to find
the Kya or Kxa using the equation.
Find slope, PM1Trial 1 to get the value of yi1 and xi1
1st trial, use

2nd trial, get yi1 and xi1 from 1st trial and insert into this
equation to get the value of (1-y)iM and (1-x)iM

Then, find PM1Trial 2 using this equation

 Stop the iteration when value for last trial of slope is
approximately same with the previous slope. Then
will get the final value of yi1 and xi1.
Next, find the PM2Trial 1 and get value of yi2 and xi2
using this equation

If the PM2Trial 1 value is almost same with the PM1Trial

2(or last trial), stop the iteration and get the value yi2
and xi2 from graph.
 Calculate the log mean driving force (y-yi)M using this
equation if kya is used

If Kya is used, find the log mean driving force using this
equation

If using the liquid coefficient which is kxa and Kxa, use

the appropriate driving force equation.
Lastly, calculate height, z using this equation relate to
which gas coefficient used.
SIMPLIFIED METHOD:DESIGN OF PACKED
TOWERS USING TRANSFER UNITS
Useful design method of packed towers is the use of the
transfer unit concept.
For the case of A diffusing through stagnant and non-
diffusing B:

The height of the packed tower is then:

In term of film coefficient
H= height of
transfer unit
N number of
Liq transfer unit
Gas
phase phase

In term of Overall film coefficient

 The height of the packed tower :

In term of
film
coefficient

In term of
Overall film
coefficient
Where:
In term of film coefficient

In term of overall film coefficient

 When the solution are dilute with concentration below
10%:
the term (1-y)iM/(1-y),(1-x)iM/(1-x),(1-y)*M/(1-y) and (1-
x)*M/(1-x) can be taken outside the integral & average
values used.
Often they are quite close to 1 & can be dropped out.
Operating line and interphase compositions in a packed tower
for absorption of dilute gases