1.

0 ABSTRACT
The experiment is based on pressure drop, the air flow rate, the water flow rate and
also the packed column. The pressure drop is increased when the water flow rate and air flow
rate is increased. This experiment is to examine the air pressure drop across the column as a
function of air flow rate for different water flow rates through the column. The graph of log
pressure drop against log of air flow rate is plotted. The graph of generalized theoretical
pressure drop correlation chart for random packing is also plotted. Both of the graph have
same principle where high flow rate parameter is meant for high liquid flow and high
pressure drop while low flow rate parameter is meant for low liquid flow and low pressure
drop. In conclusion, the air pressure drop across the column increases as the air flow rate
increases as well as the water flow rate through the column. From the experiment, the value
of experimental pressure drop is higher compared to the correlated values for packed column.
For packed column of water flowrate of 1 LPM, there is no error since it flooded according to
the theory, followed by that of water flowrate of 2 LPM which is 14.28 %. At water flowrate
of 3 LPM, the error involved is 20%. These percentage errors between theoretical and
correlated calculations of flooding point are slightly high due to some error in reading the
flowrate. Hence, the reading should be taken twice to make sure accurate reading is taken.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Gas absorption (also known as scrubbing) is an operation in which a gas mixture is
contacted with a liquid for the purpose of preferentially dissolving one or more components
of the gas mixture and to provide a solution of them in the liquid. Therefore we can see that
there is a mass transfer of the component of the gas from the gas phase to the liquid phase.
The solute so transferred is said to be absorbed by the liquid. In gas desorption (or stripping),
the mass transfer is in the opposite direction, i.e. from the liquid phase to the gas phase. The
principles for both systems are the same.
There are 2 types of absorption processes: physical absorption and chemical absorption,
depending on whether there is any chemical reaction between the solute and the solvent
(absorbent). When water and hydrocarbon oils are used as absorbents, no significant chemical
reactions occur between the absorbent and the solute, and the process is commonly referred
to as physical absorption. When aqueous sodium hydroxide (a strong base) is used as the
absorbent to dissolve an acid gas, absorption is accompanied by a rapid and irreversible in the
liquid phase and the process is referred to as chemical absorption or reactive absorption.
The absorption process requires the following steps:
1. Diffusion of the solute gas molecules through the host gas to the liquid boundary layer
based on a concentration gradient
2. Solvation of the solute gas in the host liquid based on gas-liquid solubility
3. Diffusion of the solute gas based on concentration gradient, thus depleting the liquid
boundary layer and permitting further solvation

Method of Operation:
A. Counter-current Operation

It was widely used in the industry.

The gas enters the column or tower from below as leaves at the top, while
liquid enters from the top and flows in opposite direction and exits from the
bottom.

B. Co-current Gas Absorption

This mode of operation is seldom used in practice.

It is less efficient than counter-current operation.

ABSORPTION EQUIPMENT

Tray (or plate or stage) Columns- The types of trays used in absorption include: sieve
tray, valve tray and bubble-cap trays. These internals are the same as those covered in
"Distillation"

Packed Column- Both random and structured packing had been used.

Spray Column- The gas flows upward continuously through an open chamber in
which scrubbing liquid droplets falls from spray nozzles through the gas. The gas
pressure drop is small, but separation is not as good as the bubble column. This
column is widely used for its simplicity, low pressure drop, and resistance to scale
deposition and plugging.

Bubble Column- The gas is forced under pressure through perforated pipes submerged
in the scrubbing liquid. As such the gas phase is dispersed and the liquid phase is
continuous. As the bubbles rise through the liquid, absorption of the gas occurs. This
type of device suffers from the high pressure drop due to the liquid hydrostatic head.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

To examine the air pressure drop across the column as a function of air flow rate for
different water flow rates through the column.

To determine the pressure drop across the dry column as a function of air flow rate.

To study the operation of Gas absorption.

4.0 THEORY
Deals with the mass transfer operation known as gas absorption in which a soluble gas
is absorbed from its mixture with an inert gas by means of a liquid in which the solute gas is
more or less soluble. A common apparatus used in gas absorption is packed tower, consists of
a cylindrical column, or tower, equipped with a gas inlet and distributing space at the bottom,
a liquid inlet and a distributor at top, gas and liquid outlets at the top and bottom respectively,
and a supported mass of inert solid shapes, called tower packing.
In a gas absorption column, a component of the gas stream is absorbed into the liquid
stream. The absorption may be purely physical, or it may involve solution of the gas into the
liquid followed by chemical reaction.
There are typically two types of diffusions in an absorption process:
i)

Equimolar counter- diffusion two components diffusing across the interface, one
from the gas to liquid phase, while the other from the liquid to gas phase.

ii)

Diffusion through stagnant or non-diffusing phase only one component diffuses

across the interface through stagnant gas and liquid phases.

For a gas absorption process, it is common that only one solute component diffuses through
stagnant gas and liquid phases. Thus, the rates of mass transfer in a packed absorption column
for air (gas) can be quantified by this equation:
PA 1PA 2
NA=KG )
Where NA is the molar flux of species A, KG is gas phase mass transfer coefficient,
PA 1PA 2 are the pressure drop.
This experiment required to plot graph of pressure drop against air flow rate in graph.
The flow parameter shows the ratio of liquid kinetic energy to vapour kinetic energy and
parameter of K4 or y-axis needs and x-axis or FLV can be calculated by using these formulae:
G2y F P 0.1
Gx
x
g c ( x y ) y G y

y
x y

Gas absorption is a process where mixture of gas is in contact with liquid and
becomes dissolve. Therefore, there is mass transfer occurs in the component that changes
from gas phase to liquid phase. The solutes are absorbed by liquid. Inside this experiment,
only the mass transfer between air and liquid are concerned. Gas absorption is widely use in
industries to control the air pollution and to separate acidic impurities out of mixed gas
streams. The pressure drop values are observed from the manometer. The graph of pressure

correlation for different flow rate of water is plotted in order to find the relationship between
K4 and FLV. The steps on how to obtain K4 and FLV is shown below:
Density of air, G = 1.175 kg/m3
Density of water, L = 996 kg/m3
Column diameter, Dc = 80 mm
Area of packed diameter,

A c=

2
D
4

Packing Factor: Fp = 900 m-1

Water viscosity, water = 0.001 Ns/m2
Theoretical Flooding Point
1. Gy must be in m3/h
2. To calculate gas flow rate, GG (kg/m2s)
G G=

3.

Gy
Ac

To calculate capacity parameter, K4,

2

13.1 ( GG ) F p
K4=

L
L

0.1

( )

G ( L G )

4. To calculate liquid flow rate, GL (kg/m2) (1 LPM, 2 LPM, 3 LPM)

GL =

G
Ac

5. To calculate flow parameter, FLV (1 LPM)

FLV =

GL
GG

( )
G
L

Where:
Gy

= Air flow rate (m3/h)

5.0 APPARATUS
The type of gas absorption unit used as figure below was SOLTEQ-QVF Gas Absorption
Unit with a glass type made of borosilicate 3.3 glasses with PTFE gaskets.

Column K1

Vessel B1
Receiving
vessel B2
Air Flow rate
Pump P1

6.0 PROCEDURE / METHODOLOGY

1. General start-up procedure of gas absorption unit was performed by laboratory
assistance.
2. Firstly, the valve V11 is opens slowly and adjusted to get the water flow rate of
around 1 L/min. Water are allowed to enter at the top of the column K1, and then flow
down the column and accumulated at the bottom until it overflows back into vessel
B1.
3. After that, valve V1 is open and adjusted to get an air flow rate of 20 L/min into
column K1.
4. After 2 minutes, the liquid and gas flow in column K1 is observed, and the pressure
drop across the column at dPT-201 is recorded.
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 with different values of air flow rate until the flooding in the
column K1 occurs while the water flow rate is maintained.
6. Step 2 to 5 was repeated with different values of water flow rate by adjusted the valve
V11.

Flow rate
(l/min)

Pressure drop (mm H2O)

Water
Air
20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

0.0

0.0

1.0

3.0

5.0

8.0

1.2

20.0

45.0

0.0

1.0

3.0

7.0

16.0

29.0

65.0

-17.0

-13.0

-6.0

3.0

40.0

RESULTS

Figure below show the graph for Pressure drop against air flow rate

7.0

8.0 CALCULATION
Sample Calculations
Data:
Density of air = 1.175kg/m3
Density of water= 996kg/m3
Column diameter = 80mm
Area of packed column diameter = 0.005027m2
Packing Factor = 900 m-1
Water viscosity = 0.001 Ns/m2
Theoretical Flooding Point:
GG, gas flow rate (kg/m2s)
GG = GyXp / A

20 L 1 min 1.175kg 1m 3

3
min
60
sec
m
1000 L

0.0050207

=0.0779kg/m2s

Capacity parameter, y-axis

L
)
L
G ( PL PG )

0.1

13.1(GG ) 2 Fp (
=

13.1(0.0779) 900(
=

0.001

996
1.175(996 1.175)

0. 1

= 0.0154
GL, liquid flowrate per unit column cross-sectional area
GL X p
=

1L 1 min 996kg 1m 3

min 60 sec
1000 L
m3
0.005027

= 3.3022
Flow parameter , x- axis

x-axis =

GL G
(
)
GG L

=1.456
Water Flow Rate (L/min)

GL (kg/m2s)

1.0

3.3022

2.0

6.6043

3.0

9.9065

Table 2 : Water Flowrate and GL , Liquid Flowrate per Unit Column Cross-sectional Area

Air flow
rate
(L/min)

GG
(kg/m2s)

Capacity
Parameter
(y-axis)

Flow parameter (x-axis)

1.0 LPM

2.0LPM

3.0LPM

3.3022

6.6043

9.9065

20

0.0779

0.0154

1.456

2.910

4.368

40

0.1557

0.0614

0.729

1.456

2.186

60

0.2336

0.1383

0.486

0.971

1.457

80

0.3115

0.2459

0.364

0.728

1.092

100

0.3893

0.3841

0.291

0.583

0.874

120

0.4672

0.5532

0.243

0.486

0.728

140

0.5453

0.7531

0.208

0.416

0.624

160

0.6232

0.9832

0.182

0.359

0.546

Table 3: Air Flowrate, gas flow rate (kg/m2s) abrv. GG,capacity parameter and flow parameter.

Figure 2 : Theoretical Pressure Drop Correlation Chart For Random Packings

Water Flow Rate

Theoretical
Flooding Air Flow
rate (L/min)

Experimental
Flooding Air Flow
rate (L/min)

Error (%)

1.0

180

180

0.0

2.0

140

160

14.28

3.0

100

120

20.00

(L/min)

Table 4: comparison of theoretical and correlation of flooding point

9.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the air pressure drop across the column increases as the air flow rate
increases as well as the water flow rate through the column. From the experiment, the value
of experimental pressure drop is higher compared to the correlated values for packed column.
For packed column of water flowrate of 1 LPM, there is no error since it flooded according to
the theory, followed by that of water flowrate of 2 LPM which is 14.28 %. At water flowrate
of 3 LPM, the error involved is 20%. These percentage errors between theoretical and
correlated calculations of flooding point are slightly high due to some error in reading the
flowrate. Hence, the reading should be taken twice to make sure accurate reading is taken.

10.0 DISCUSSION
The objective this experiment is to examine the air pressure drop across the
column as a function of air flow rate for different water flow rates through the column. The
experiment based on the flow rate of liquid and gas in the packed. Firstly the water flow rate
is kept constant to 1 L/min and the air flow rate is then recorded after a 1 minute interval. Air
flow rate is kept rising at constant by 20 L/min by each 5 minutes. All reading of pressure
drop are then recorded until the flooding point is reached. The pressure drop for flow rate of
air are 0, 1,3,5,8,12,20 and 45 mm H20 respectively to 20,40,60,80,100,120,140,160 and 180
L/min of air. The flow rate of water is then adjusted to 2 L/min, the data recorded are 0,
1,3,7,16,29 and 65 mm H20 respectively to 20,40,60,80,100,120,140 L/min of air. Next the
experiment continue by 3 L/Min by each 5 minutes. All reading of pressure drop are then
recorded until the flooding point is reached. The pressure drop for flow rate of air are -17,13,-6, 3, 40 mm H20 respectively to 20,40,60,80 and 100 L/min of air. At 2L/min and 3L/min
cannot reach 180 L/min of air flow rate as the water will sprayed out from the column due to
the high flow rate.
The graph of column Pressure Drop vs. Air Flow Rate is plotted and in which the
results from the plotted graph shown the higher the gas flow rate, the higher the pressure
drop. For correlated value of the pressure drop, calculations has been made. The data from
simple calculation that had been made density of air is 1.175kg/m 3, density of water is
996kg/m3, column diameter is 80mm, area of packed column diameter is 0.005027m 2,
packing Factor is 900 m-1 and water viscosity is 0.001 Ns/m2. For Theoretical Flooding Point,
GG, gas flow rate (kg/m2s) and Flow parameter, x- axis were calculated. Lastly, a graph of
capacity parameter against flow rate parameter was plotted. The capacity parameter is
indirectly proportional to flow rate parameter.
From the calculation, the experiment for 1 LPM, there is no error, followed by that
of water flow rate of 2 LPM which is 14.28 %. At water flow rate of 3 LPM, the error
involved is 20% .

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Some suggestion in improving the safety are to always check and rectify any leak and
all operating instructions supplied with the unit must be carefully read and understood before
attempting to operate the unit. Next, be extremely careful when handling hazardous,
flammable or polluting materials such as CO2. Make sure the system is sufficiently ventilated
when working at atmospheric pressure. The flow rate of air and water should be on the right
amount, since this will affect the pressure drop. Do not proceed with different phases of the
experiment until you understand how each piece of apparatus works. Do not be afraid to ask
for help, for this experiment is rather complex and requires attention to detail to get good
results. Other than that, when starting up the system, always use low initial air and water
velocities. Be sure the recycle valve to the sump pump is always at least partially open to
prevent build-up of liquid and flooding. An extension has been added to the top of the column
to help prevent spillage of caustic. The gas cylinder regulator handle should be loose (easy
to turn) before opening the tank. See safety instructions in the auxiliary section notebook.
Open the tank valve slowly. Remember to plug in the gas heater 5 minutes before turning on
the gas. Turn off the gas at the end of the day, or else you will not be able to operate during
the next lab period. Relieve the spring pressure on the regulator diaphragm by backing out the
regulator handle to its original loose position.

12.0 REFERENCES / APPENDICES

Sakshat Virtual Lab. (n.d.). Gas Liquid Absorption. Retrieved on 10th of November 2015
from http://iitb.vlab.co.in/?sub=8&brch=116&sim=951&cnt=1
Books:
1. R. Treybal, Mass Transfer Operations, 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, 1980.
2. J. H. Perry, Ed., Chemical Engineer's Handbook, 5th or 6th ed., p. 14.2 - 14.40,
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., New York, NY, 1973.
3. W. L. McCabe and J. C. Smith, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 4th ed., p.
617-631, McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., New York, NY, 1985.
4. Dixon, D., Higgins, K., Fox, B. (2012). Gas Absorption into a Liquid in a Packed
Column. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved in 20th April, 2013.
5. Dr. Rami Jumah (2002). Unit Operation Laboratory. Jordan University of Science and
Technology. Retrieved on 20th April 2013
6. J. M Coulson et. al., Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer, Volume 1, 6th
Edition, Coulson & Richardson.
7. Richardson, J. F. and Harker, J. H. (2002). Chemical Engineering. Fifth Edition. Page
655.