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, from the liquid
phase to the gas phase. The principles for both systems are the same. We will focus on the analysis for gas
absorption, for the simple case whereby only one component of the gas solute is being absorbed. The
other components of the gas are assumed to be non-soluble in the liquid (the other gas components are
inert components), and the liquid is non-volatile, which means that there is no transfer of molecules from
the liquid to the gas phase. In addition, we assume there is no chemical reaction in the system and that it
is operating at isothermal condition. The process of gas absorption thus involves the diffusion of solute
from the gas phase through a stagnant or non-diffusing liquid.

A common instrument used in gas absorption or stripping is a packed tower. A packed tower
consists of the following: a cylindrical tube with inert packing material; a gas inlet at the bottom with an
exit out the top; and a liquid inlet at the top with its exit out the bottom . In an ideal operation the liquid
will descend through the packed column and distribute uniformly over the packing surface in films. The
gas will enter the column from below the packed section and rise upward countercurrent to the liquid flow
through the small spaces between the packing material. The large amount of intimate contact between the
liquid and gas streams allows for an efficient transfer of mass.
OBJECTIVES :

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

PROCEDURES :

1. The sump was filled to three-quarters full with tap water. Valves V1, V2, and V3 were set as
shown on the diagram so that differential pressures in the top and bottom sections of the column
were indicated on the two water manometer.
2. The water pump was switched on and C1 was set to give a flow rate of said 3 litres/minutes down
the column.
3. After about 30 second close C1, the pump was switched off and the column was allowed to drain
for 5 minutes.
4. The air pressure differential across the wet column was measured as a function of the air flow
rate.
5. The air pressure differential across the column was measured as a function of the air flow rate for
different water flow rates up to said 5 litres/minute, the appearance of the column was noted at
each setting.
RESULT AND DATA :

Pressure differential (mm water)

Air flow
(l/min)
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Water
Flow (l/min)
1.0 1 2 5 8 10 16 22 27 32

2.0 4 2 4 8 13 18 24 32 42

3.0 2 3 6 12 17 24 32 42 56

4.0 2 4 5 15 19 24 39 55 75

5.0 9 10 11 19 24 66

6.0 5 11 26 28 32 72 119

7.0 1 3 8 27 105

8.0 22 25 55 148

9.0 10 30 110

10.0
CALCULATION :

By using theory

∆P = 𝝆 * g * ∆h

∆P = differential pressure. (g/cm.s2)

𝜌 = density constant. (1g/cm2)

g = gravity constant. (980 cm/s2)

∆h= height (cm H2O)

 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 1 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate
L/Min

Water 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Flow Rate
L/Min

∆P(cm 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.0 1.6 2.2 2.7 3.2
H2O)

∆P 98 196 490 784 980 1568 2156 2646 3136

(g/cm.s2)

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 1.99123 2.29226 2.69020 2.89432 2.99123 3.19535 3.33365 3.42259 3.49638
(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air flow

2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)

0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 2 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate
L/Min

Water 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Flow Rate
L/Min

∆P(cm 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.3 1.8 2.4 3.2 4.2
H2O)

∆P 392 196 392 784 1274 1764 2352 3136 4116

(g/cm.s2)

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 2.59329 2.29226 2.59329 2.89432 3.10517 3.24650 3.37144 3.49638 3.61448
(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

2.5 flow

1.5
log air flow

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)

0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 3 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Rate L/Min

∆P(cmH2O) 0.2 0.3 0.6 1.2 1.7 2.4 3.2 4.2 5.6

∆P(g/cm.s2) 196 294 588 1176 1666 2352 3136 4116 5488

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 2.29226 2.46835 2.76938 3.07041 3.22167 3.37144 3.49638 3.61448 3.73941
(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 4 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Rate L/Min

∆P(cm 0.2 0.4 0.5 1.5 1.9 2.4 3.9 5.5 7.5
H2O)

∆P(g/cm.s2) 196 392 490 1470 1862 2352 3822 5390 7350

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 2.29226 2.59329 2.69020 3.16732 3.26998 3.37144 3.58229 3.73159 3.86629
(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 5 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Rate L/Min

∆P(cm 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.9 2.4 6.6

H2O)

∆P(g/cm.s2) 882 980 1078 1862 2352 6468

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 2.94547 2.99123 3.03262 3.26998 3.37144 3.81077

(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 6 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Rate L/Min

∆P(cm 0.5 1.1 2.6 2.8 3.2 7.2 11.9

H2O)

∆P(g/cm.s2) 490 1078 2548 2744 3136 7056 11662

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 2.69020 3.03262 3.40620 3.43838 3.49638 3.84856 4.06677

(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 7 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Rate L/Min

∆P(cm 0.1 0.3 0.8 2.7 10.5

H2O)

∆P(g/cm.s2) 98 294 784 2646 10290

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 1.99123 2.46835 2.89432 3.42259 4.01242

(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 8 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Rate L/Min

∆P(cm 2.2 2.5 5.5 14.8

H2O)

∆P(g/cm.s2) 2156 2450 5390 14504

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 3.33365 3.38917 3.73159 4.16149

(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2.5

2
log air flow

1.5

Log Air Flow Rate

1
Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.5

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
log pressure differential
 Data of flow (air + water) and differential pressure at 9 (L/min) of flow water

Wet
column

Air Flow 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Rate L/Min

Water Flow 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Rate L/Min

∆P(cm 1.0 3.0 11.0

H2O)

∆P(g/cm.s2) 980 2940 10780

Log Air 1.30103 1.60206 1.77815 1.90309 2.00000 2.07918 2.14613 2.20412 2.25527
Flow Rate
(L/Min)

Log ∆P 2.99123 3.46835 4.03262

(g/cm.s2)

Graph of log pressure differential VS Log air

flow
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
log air flow

1.2
1
Log Air Flow Rate
0.8
0.6 Linear (Log Air Flow Rate)
0.4
0.2
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
log pressure differential
DISCUSSION :

From the theory, at constant liquid rate, gas pressure drop increases with gas velocity while at
constant gas velocity, the gas pressure drop is higher at larger liquid rate.Each liquid rate has its own
loading and flooding points and at higher liquid rate, the loading and flooding points occur at lower gas
pressure drop.

In this experiment, the air pressure differential across wet column (gas absorption packed
column) need to be find in order to know the relationship between pressure differential and air flow rate.
the total pressure differential should be plotted as a function of air flow rate on log-log graph paper for
each water flow rate has been plotted. From the graphs, the total pressure differential increased as the air
flow rate increased. Other than that, the pressure difference increased when the air flow and water flow
increased and the flooding point decreases as the air flow increases (the high water flow the gives less
flooding point).

Loading point of a column is when the gas velocity is high enough to restrict the flow of liquid.
After this point, the pressure drops at a much faster rate till another point, known as the flooding point,
when all the liquid is carried away by the gas. It marks the start of entrainment regime in columns, too
high a gas velocity will lead to a condition known as flooding whereby the liquid filled the entire column
and the operation became difficult to carry out. High pressure will crush and damage the packings in the
column.

CONCLUSION :

In conclusion, the air pressure across the column as a function of air flow rate for different water
flow rates down the column were examined. The pressure difference increased when the air flow and
water flow increased. The flooding point decreases as the air flow increases (the high water flow the gives
less flooding point). Therefore, the slope of the flooding curve is decreasing with the increasing of the
water flow rate.

REFERENCES :

 http://www.separationprocesses.com/Absorption/GA_Chp04a.htm
 www.separationprocesses.com/Absorption/GA_Chp03.htm
 ttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/gas-absorption