Question

(Counter-Current Absorption – Tray Columns)

1] Constructing Operating and Equilibrium Lines Using Solute Free Basis: (25 points)
We want to recover solute A from an inert carrier gas B by absorption into a solvent operating in a counter current absorption column. The gas B entering into the absorber flows at a rate of 500 kmol/h with yA = 0.3 and leaves the absorber with yA = 0.01. Solvent enters the absorber at the rate of 1500 kmol/h with xA = 0.001.

The equilibrium relationship is yA = 2.8 xA.

The carrier gas may be considered insoluble in the solvent and the solvent may be considered nonvolatile.

Construct the x-y plots for the equilibrium and operating lines using both mole fraction (x,y) and solute-free concentrations (X,Y) – one plot showing the equilibrium and operating lines with x, y and the other plot showing the same lines as a function of X, Y. Show the steps involved in converting mole fractions (x, y) to solute-free concentrations (X, Y). Plot the corresponding equilibrium and operating lines using a software of your choice (EXCEL, MATLAB, MATHCAD etc.)

Answer 1