SIZING

Stripper / Regenerator
Stripper or regenerator has a function to regenerate amine. In this chapter,
we will calculate the design of stripper or regenerator. We must follow several
steps to design amine stripper column, there are :
a. Determine Key Component (Light Key and Heavy Key)
The function of key component is to make calculation become easier in
analysis of mass balance from product. Key component divide into 2 keys, there
are heavy key and light key.
Heavy key is a component that almost coming out in the bottom of amine
stripper. Heavy key is a non volatile component in distillate and composition in
distillate is fewer than composition in waste. Meanwhile, light key is a component
that almost coming out in the top of amine stripper. Light key also describe a
volatile component in residue and composition in distillate is greater than
composition in waste.
Based on the results of the simulation carried out using HYSIS, obtained
data on the composition of each stream on amine stripper as seen on the
TableA.31.
Table A.31. Composition of Each Stream on Amine Stripper

(Source : HYSIS Simulation)

From that figure, we know that heavy key is DEA and light key is CO2.

b. Determine tdew and tbulb

We need to know the mole fraction of each component first to determine the
dew and bubble temperatures. The mole fraction of each components is known by
the HYSIS Simulation. Then, so we can calculate the vapor pressure each
component through Antoine equation.
After we know vapor pressure each component, we can calculate the slope
of equilibrium line (m) using the equation P sat/Ptotal and mole fraction of each
component in bottom. Known the Ptotal in the distillate is 110 kPa. We can see the
result attached in the table below :
Distillate
Table A.32. Calculation Dew Temperature

Componen

Psat (kPa)

yf

t
CO

6.2402

230.27

260.01

60.35601163

0.06706

0.1291

0.0086

CO2

9.8106

1347.79

273

1176.34458

2
1.30705

5
0.7491

6
0.9791

164.7776547

0.18308

4
0.0616

7
0.01128

0.0236

0.00011

H2O

8.0713

1730.63

233.42

4.330111301

6
0.004811

H2

3.5431

99.395

6
7.726

H2S

4.5289

958.587

-0.539

6.745261633

0.00749

9
0.0361

0.0002

N2

5.7392

167.93

254.48

37.81780213

5
0.04202

4
0.0001

7
5.2E-06

1270.93

1
227.56

0.051211

2
0.0002

1E-05

DEPG

6.5468

46.08991129

4
(Source : Authors Personal Data)

From the table above, we can calculate the dew temperature using goal seek
in Microsoft Excel, so we got the dew temperature is 17,33oC.
Bottom
Table A.33. Calculation Bubble Temperature

Componen

Psat (kPa)

CO

6.2402

230.27

260.01

60.35963679

CO2

9.8106

1347.79

273

1176.752426

xf

0.06706

0.1291

0.0086

6
1.30750

5
0.7491

6
0.9795

233.42

H2O

8.0713

1730.63

H2

3.5431

99.395

7.726

4.330261923

H2S

4.5289

958.587

-0.539

6.747548476

N2

5.7392

167.93

DEPG

6.5468

1270.93

254.48
1
227.56
4

164.8542427

37.81946859
46.10574432

3
0.18317
1
0.004811

0.0616

0.01128

0.0236

0.00749

9
0.0361

7
0.04202

4
0.0001

2
0.05122

0.00011
0.0002
7
5.2E-06

0.0002

1E-05
1

(Source : Authors Personal Data)

From the table above, we can calculate the dew temperature using goal seek
in Microsoft Excel, so we got the bubble temperature is 19,19oC.
After that, we find the operation temperature. Operation temperature is
usually average temperature between dew temperature and bubble temperature, tav.
T +T
T av= dew bubble
2
o

T av=

17.33 C+19.19 C
2

T av=18.26 o C
Operation temperature in this stripper or regenerator is 18.26oC. After we
know operation temperature, we can calculate av.
c. Determine minimum tray
We got av using this below equation :
m
av = i
m HK
Heavy key in this stripper is We calculate av in Microsoft Excel and we
tabulate in the table below :
Table A.34. Calculation Alfa

Compone

Psat (kPa)

nt
CO2

222.928143

0.2477

27.794

H2S

5
0.456778011 0.0005

4
0.0569

DEPG

8.02059924

1
0.0089

5
1

(Source : Authors Personal Data)

After we got the av, then we find the minimum tray (Nm). We can use the
following equation to find the minimum tray.
log [ ( x LK /x HK ) D ( x HK / x LK ) B ]
NM =
log ( LK / HK )av
NM=

log [ ( 0.7491 /0.0002 ) ( 0.644 /0.0001 ) ]

log ( 27.7944 )

N M =5.112 6 tray minimum

d. Determine the height of column
We need to determine tray efficiency first so we can determine height of the
column. The distillation tray efficiency is usually range between 50% - 70%. So,
we can calculate theactual number of stage.
In previously step, we just calculate minimum tray in stripper. We assume
that base pressure has column efficiency 60% and reboiler equivalent with 1 stage.
From Hysis Simulation, we know that amount of theoritic stay are 18 stage. So,
we can calculate actual number of stage.
Actual number of stages=

Theoritical stage1
Column Efficiency

Actual number of stages=

181
0,6

Actual number of stages=28.33 stage 29 stage

After we know the actual number of stage, so we can determine the height
of column. The height of column can be determined after we know the distance
between 29 stage, top and bottom clearance, and tray thickness. The type of
stripper or regenerator is sieve tray column. So, the usual tray spacing for sieve
tray column is 0.5 m.
The usual tray spacing for sieve tray column
Distance between 29 plates
Each top clearance and bottom clearance
Tray thickness
Total tray thickness
= 0.005 m x 29 stage

= 0.5 m.
= 13.5 m.
= 0.25 m.
= 5 mm/plate.
= 0.145 m.

Total height of column

= Distance between 29 plates + Top Clearance +

Bottom Clearance + Tray Thickness

Total height of column
= 13.5 m + 0.25 m + 0.25 m + 0.145 m
Total height of column
= 14.145 m
e. Determine vapor flowrate and liquid flowrate
Total Mass Balance
:F=D+B
B=FD
Known from Hysis Simulation
:
xF
= 0.352
xD
= 0.002
xB
= 0.644
Laju alir Distilat= 4650 kg/h
Component Mass Balance :
F=D+B
x F . F=x D . D+ x B . B
0.3502 ( 4650+ B )=( 0.0002 ) ( 4650 ) + ( 0.6440 )( B )
1628.43+0.3502 B=0.93+0.6440 . B
1627.5=0.2938 . B

B=5539.483 kg /h
So, the flowrate of feed :
F=D+B
F=4650 kg /h+5539.483 kg /h
F=10189.48 kg/h

Top
Top Product, D = 4650 kg/h
Mass Balance
:
V =L+ D
V / D=L/ D+1

V =( R+1 ) D=( 0,5+ 1 )( 4650 )=6975 kg /h(top vapor rate)

L=V D=6975 kg /h4650 kg/ h=2325(liquid vapor rate)

Then, we get

L/ D=2325/ 4650=0.5

Bottom
Bottom Product, B = 5539.483 kg/h
'
'
Bottom Operation Slope = L /V =2,5
Mass Balance
'
'
V + B=L

'

V + 5539.483=L

'

V ' + 5539.483=2,5 V '

V '=

5539.483
=3692.99 kg/h(bottom vapor rate)
1.5

L' =2.5 V '

'

L =2.5 ( 3692.99 )=9232.475 kg /h(bottom liquid rate)

f. Determine physical properties
We assume that pressure drop per plate are 100 mm water, so :
Columnof Pressure Drop=100 x 103 x 1000 x 9.81 x 29=28449 Pa
Top Pressure=900 kPa
Base Pressure =Top Pressure + Pressure Drop

Base Pressure=900 kPa+28449 Pa=900000 Pa+ 28449 Pa

Base Pressure =928449 Pa=9,28

From steam table, known base temperature = 117.7oC.

So:

v =2.43 kg/m3
L=964.3 kg/m

Top temperature (carbon dioxide, MW = 44) = 235.7oC.

So:

v =

44
273
x
=1.054 kg/m3
22.4 (235.7+ 273)

L=819.567 kg/m3
g. Determine column diameter
To calculate column diameter, so we must calculate F LV base and FLV top
first.
LW
VW

F LV base=2.5

F LV base=

V
L

2.43
=0.125
964.3

F LV top=R

F LV top=0,5

V
L

1.054
=0.0179
819.567

After we know FLV top and FLV base from previously calculation, wecan get
K value based on this figure.

Figure A.21. Flooding Velocity, Sieve Plates

(Source : Tutorial of Calculation Design Plate Column Destilation)

From that picture, we can get :

Base

= K1

= 0.075

Top

= K2

= 0.090

Then, we can calculate flooding velocity :

uf base=K 1

L V
V

uf base=0.075
uf top=K 2

964.32.43
=1.492m/s
2.43

L V
V

uf top=0,090

819.5671.054
=2.508 m/s
1.054

Design for 85% flooding at maximum velocity :

Base

= u^ v base=0.85 x 1.492=1.268 m/ s

Top

= u^ v top=0.85 x 2,508=2.132 m/ s

Maximum volumetric flow

Base

Bottom Vapour Rate

v base x 3600

Base

3692.99 kg /h
=0.422 m/s
2.43 x 3600

Top

Top Vapour Rate

v top x 3600

Top

6975 kg /h
=1.838 m/s
1.054 x 3600

Net Area Required, An :

Base

Maximum volumetric flow

Floodingrate at 85

Base

0,422m/s
=0,333 m2
1,268

Top

Maximum volumetric flow

Floodingrate at 85

Top

1.838 m/s
=0.862 m2
2.132

As first guest, set downcomer area about 12% from total.

Cross Sectional Area, Ac

Base

Net Area Required

1Downcomer Area

Base

0.333
0.333
2
=
=0.378 m
10.12 0.88

Top

Net Area Required

1Downcomer Area

Top

0.862
0.862
2
=
=0.979 m
10.12 0.88

Column Diameter

Base

Base

Top

Top

4 x Cross Sectional Area

4 x 0.378
=0.694 m

4 x Cross Sectional Area

4 x 0.979
=1.117 m

Based on Rule of Thumb (Wallas) : Maximum tower height is about 175 ft

(53 m) with L/D ratio must less than 30. From previous calculation, we got
tower height is 14.145 m and tower diameter 1.117 m2, so this column design
has L/D ratio = 0.5.
h. Determine type of liquid flow
liquid rate
Maximumliquid flow=
3600 x L
Maximumliquid flow=

9232.475 kg / h
3600 x 964.3

Maximumliquid flow=2.659 x 103 m3 /s

From Figure A.x, so we knows the type of liquid stream when maximum
liquid flow is about 2.659 x 10-3 m3/s. The type of liquid flow was cross flow
(single pass plate).

Figure A.22. Selection of Liquid Flow Arrangement

(Source : Tutorial of Calculation Design Plate Column Destilation)

i. Determine plate design

Column Diameter, Dc

= 1.117 m.

Column Area, Ac

= 0.979 m2.

Downcomer Area, Ad

= 12 % x 0.979 m2

= 0.117 m2.

Net Area, An = Ac - Ad = 0.979 m2 0.117 m2

= 0.862 m2.

Active Area, Aa = Ac 2.Ad = 0.979 m2 0.234 m2

= 0.745 m2.

First estimation for hole area

Hole Area, Ad

= 10% from active area.

= 10 % x 0.745 m2

= 0.0745 m2.

Based on Rule of Thumb (Wallas) :

Weir Length
= 75% diameter tray.
Weir Length
= 0.75 x 1.117 m
= 0.838 m.
Weir Height
= 1.96 in
= 50 mm.
Hole Diameter Valve Tray
= 5 mm.
Plate Thickness
= 5 mm.
Number of Hole =
Area for One Hole = 1.964 x 10-5 m2 (Diameter Hole = 5 mm).
Sum of Hole
= Hole Area / Area for One Hole.
Sum of Hole
= 0.0745 m2 / 1.964 x 10-5 m2.
Sum of Hole

=3793.279 hole 3794 hole.