Absorbers - Separations - Chemical - MEL Equipment Encyclopedia 4 PDF

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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT
SEPARATIONS: ABSORBERS
CHEMICAL
Absorbers bring gas and liquid phases in contact, so that contaminants in the gas phase absorb
ABSORBERS
into the liquid phase as a result of their interaction.
ADSORBERS
ABOUT ABSORPTION
BIOFILTERS
During absorption, soluble components of a gas mixture dissolve into a liquid. The animation
CRYSTALLIZERS below demonstrates that as the two streams contact, mass transfer of the soluble
DEHUMIDIFIERS
components takes place.
DISTILLATION
COLUMNS
DRYERS
EVAPORATORS
EXTRACTORS
HUMIDIFIERS
ION EXCHANGE
COLUMNS
MEMBRANES
STRIPPERS
SOURCES The entering gas stream, shown in yellow, contains solutes that are absorbed into the
entering liquid stream, shown in purple. The exiting gas stream shown in orange leaves the
column without the solute, while the exiting liquid stream, shown in blue, leaves with the
ABSORBERS solute. Absorption is usually carried out in vertical and cylindrical columns or towers. The gas
and liquid phases can interact via cocurrent flow, counterflow, or crossflow.
ABOUT
ABSORPTION
PACKED BEDS
PACKED BEDS
Packed bed columns use absorption to remove contaminants such as corrosive gaseous
SPRAY COLUMNS emissions, acidic fumes, and various odors. Distillation columns and packed bed columns
involve essentially the same equipment.
FALLINGFILMS
BUBBLE COLUMNS
TRAY COLUMNS
VENTURI
SCRUBBERS
WET SCRUBBERS
STIRRED TANKS
(Copyright TriMer Corporation, Owosso, MI)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Packed beds are used to clean gas streams. As the animation below shows, gases flow up
through the packed bed, shown by the arrows from orange to yellow, and the scrubbing liquid
flows down the bed, shown by the arrows from blue to violet. Contaminants are transferred
from the gas stream to the liquid stream. The packing provides a large surface area for gas to
liquid mass transfer to occur.
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EQUIPMENT DESIGN
A packed bed column contains a support plate, a liquid distributor, and a mist eliminator. The
liquid stream flows through a liquid distributor and down the column due to gravity, resulting
in counterflow, crossflow, or cocurrent flow. Contaminants are transferred from the vapor
to the liquid, due to equilibrium or kinetic mechanisms, with the packing providing contact
between phases for this transfer.
(Copyright MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC)
Mist eliminators are used to condense any vaporized scrubbing liquid. The picture below to
the left shows a mesh mist eliminator, and the picture below to the right shows a vane mist
eliminator. For more information, see the mist eliminators section of this Encyclopedia.
(Copyright Amistco Separation Products Inc., Alvin, TX)
Support plates hold the packing in place within the column. The picture below shows two
types of support plates.
(Copyright Sulzer Chemtech Ltd., Switzerland)
The liquid streams flow through distributors to avoid channeling, the uneven distribution of
liquid, which can reduce the transfer of the gas contaminant to the liquid. A variety of
distributors are shown below.
SprayNozzle Distributor Extraction Distributor Slotted Distributor

Tube Distributor Radial Distributor BottomHole Distributor
The picture below shows a packed tower. The outer shells can be made out of fiberglass
reinforced plastic, stainless steel, highnickel alloys, nonferrous metals, or thermoplastics.
The inside packing can be made of metals, ceramics, or plastics. Inert ceramics and plastics
are commonly used when operating with corrosive substances. The packing can be
dumped(random) or structured.
USAGE EXAMPLES
Packed beds are most commonly used in air pollution control, but they are also used in the
chemical, petrochemical, food, pharmaceutical, paper, and aerospace industries. The beds
shown below are used to absorb and eliminate ethylene gas from a sterilization chamber. The
watersoluble ethylene gas is hydrolyzed to ethylene glycol.
(Copyright Croll Reynolds, Inc., Parsippany, NJ)
The packed bed absorption column shown below removes acidic fumes such as H2SO4, HCl,
HNO3, and HF from an inlet gas stream. Packed bed absorption is commonly used when
dealing with corrosive substances such as these.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Low pressure drop required. Fewer stages compared to other
Small diameters possible. columns.
Can handle foaming systems. Channeling, which must be controlled by
Low capital, operating, and redistributing liquid.
maintenance cost. Cannot handle extremely high or low
Simple construction. flow rates.
Can handle corrosive materials due to Cannot handle liquids with high
corrosionresistant packing. viscosities.
Reduces backmixing in comparison to Need to be preferentially wetted to
spray columns. avoid reduction of the interfacial area
Better mass transfer than in spray to volume ratio.
columns.
Return to Top
SPRAY COLUMNS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Spray columns are differential contactors, and as such they use continuous contact between
the two phases, as opposed to the stages used in staged contactors.
EQUIPMENT DESIGN
As the animation below demonstrates, the liquid stream enters the column through spray
nozzles, shown by the movement of arrows from blue to violet. Nozzles can be placed at
different heights in the column. The droplets that form provide a large surface area for
exposure to the gas stream; smaller droplets result in a greater exchange area. Gas flows
countercurrently with respect to the liquid in the animation below, as shown by the
movement of arrows from orange to yellow. The gas could also flow cocurrently with the
liquid. Low droplet velocities may lead to low contact or turbulence, and high droplet
velocities may cause flooding. Therefore, an optimum droplet velocity is essential. A mist
eliminator (not shown) is used to separate any liquid that is entrained into the gaseous phase.
USAGE EXAMPLES
One example of a spray column is in the absorption of sulfur dioxide from coalfired boiler
exhaust gases.
Low pressure drop. High pumping cost.
Only one stage. Entrainment; gas carries liquid as mist.
Most effective for solutes with high Poor mass transfer.
liquid solubility Low residence times.
Backmixing.
Droplets may form improperly or
coalesce.
Return to Top
FALLING FILM
GENERAL INFORMATION/EQUIPMENT DESIGN
The animation below shows the operation of a falling film absorber. Falling film absorbers are
differential contactors, and are mainly used when a large amount of heat is removed during
absorption. Falling film absorbers are also vertical shell and tube heat exchangers. As the
animation below demonstrates, the cooling medium falls through the absorber according to
the movement of arrows from teal to green. The vapor rises through the tubes, shown by the
movement of bubbles from orange to yellow, and the solvent falls through the tubes, shown
by the movement of arrows from blue to violet.
The solvent enters at the top and falls down the tube as a film. Gas enters at the bottom or
top to produce countercurrent or cocurrent flow. The absorption of contaminants from the
gas to the solvent depends on gas velocity, liquidgas distribution, and the tube surface
condition.
Low pressure drop. Flooding.
Minimal static head and residence time. Restricted by pressure drop.
Ideal for heatsensitive fluids. Film breakup.
Easy cleanup. Need continuous heat removal.
Continuous heat removal. Evaporation may deteriorate
components.
Liquid must be uniformly supplied.
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BUBBLE COLUMNS
Bubble columns are a type of sparged tank. In a sparged tank, the gas stream is introduced in
the form of small bubbles and acts as the agitator. As shown in the animation, gas enters at
the bottom through a gas distributor or sparger, shown by the movement of arrows from
orange to yellow, and is dispersed in the form of bubbles through the liquid stream, shown by
the movement of arrows from blue to violet. The liquid can be introduced at the top or the
bottom, resulting in either counterflow or cocurrent flow, respectively. The bubbles rise at
a velocity determined by the bubble size: the larger the bubbles, the faster they rise.
Spargers are designed to produce consistent bubble sizes, so that all the bubbles rise at the
same velocity. The bubbles may contain entrained liquid, which may result in more hold up at
high velocities.
USAGE EXAMPLES
Bubble columns can be used to purify nitroglycerin with water; in the chemical industry for
hydrogenation, oxidation, chlorination, and alkylation; and in the biotechnology field for
effluent treatment, singlecell protein production, animal cell culture, and antibiotic
fermentation. Bubble columns can be used for radioactive elements because there are no
moving parts.
High thermal stability. Low contact efficiency.
Uniform distribution because of high Backmixing.
liquid circulation. Short gas residence time.
Low energy input requirements. High gas pressure drop.
Two gases that form an explosive
mixture may be used.
Long liquid residence time.
Low investment cost.
Large mass transfer area.
Can handle radioactive materials
because there are no moving parts.
Return to Top
TRAY COLUMNS
The number of trays, or stages, in a tray column are specific to a given application.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The animation below shows a tray column absorber in action. The vapor stream flows up
through the trays, as shown by the movement of arrows from orange to yellow, and contacts
the downflowing liquid stream, shown by the movement of arrows from blue to violet, which
causes the absorption of the red contaminant. The equipment used is similar to that used in
distillation columns.
EQUIPMENT DESIGN
The geometry of the trays within the column affects the extent and type of contact between
the vapor and liquid streams. The different tray types include sieve, valve, and bubble cap.
Sieve trays contain holes for vapor to flow through. Valve trays are similar, containing holes
with opening and closing valves. Bubble cap trays contain caps that allow vapor to flow
through tiny openings through the liquid. The three ypes of trays are shown below: sieve,
valve, and bubble cap (left to right).
(Copyright Vendome Copper & Brass Works Louisville, KY)
(Copyright Clean Gas Systems, Inc.,

Hauppauge, NY)
After the feed mixture enters the column, it flows down the column and across the trays in
either cross flow or counterflow. In cross flow columns, downcomers channel the liquid
flowing from one tray down to the tray below.
USAGE EXAMPLES
A tray scrubber column is pictured below. Common applications include removal of micron
sized particles and volatile organic compounds.
(Copyright Clean Gas Systems, Inc.,

Hauppauge, NY)
The liquid/vapor contact in the cross Higher pressure drops than packed
flow of plate columns is more effective columns.
than the countercurrent flow in packed Slow reaction rate processes.
columns. Plugging and fouling may occur.
Can handle high or low liquid flow rates
cost effectively.
Can handle solids.
Easily customized to specific
requirements such as operations
requiring much heat.
Return to Top
VENTURI SRUBBERS
Venturi scrubbers are used in the removal of gas stream contaminants by liquid droplets.
(Copyright Sly Inc., Strongsville, OH)
GENERAL INFORMATION
In a venturi scrubber, contact between a high velocity gas and a freeflowing liquid causes
the gas contaminants to be trapped in liquid droplets. The liquid in venturi scrubbers may
contain solids, which would plug other types of absorbers. Venturi scrubbers are able to
remove solid submicron particles.
(Copyright Sly Inc., (Copyright Advanced Air

Strongsville, OH) Technologies, Inc., Corunna, MI)
EQUIPMENT DESIGN
In venturi scrubbers, the gas and liquid streams enter from the top. The liquid jet enters
through a nozzle to a wetapproach or flooded wall entry designed to avoid buildup. Below
the entry is a throat where droplets are formed by shearing. Gas contaminants are absorbed
into these droplets in a single stage.
Below the venturi is a flooded elbow, or entrainment, that prevents wear. The flow is
circulated in the entrainment by a pump. The gas stream and the droplets are further
separated in a cyclone separator or demister. The lighter gas flows out the top, and the
heavier droplets fall to the bottom, where they exit with the entrained liquid.
USAGE EXAMPLES
Venturi scrubbers are used to recover valuable components from hot gases, and to separate
fine particles or liquid mists. The four venturi scrubbers pictured below are used in copper
mining applications, and operate at very high pressures.
Efficient atomization. Pump is needed to circulate flow
Good contact between the gas and through the entrainment.
liquid. Large gas pressure drop.
Good for removal of submicron Large power consumption.
particulate matter as well as soluble Limited to cocurrent flow.
vapor.
Return to Top
WET SCRUBBERS
Wet scrubbers combine a liquid spray and cyclonic action to purify gas streams of gas
compounds and dust particles.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The liquid spray in a wet scrubber removes fine particles, typically sulfur or acidic
compounds, or liquid mists entrained in a gas stream.
EQUIPMENT DESIGN
In a wet scrubber, contaminated gas enters through an inlet at the bottom of the column.
Liquid enters through a nozzle or pipe, flowing in a counterflow, cross flow, or cocurrent
manner. The gas flows in a circular path within the cyclone portion of the scrubber, forcing
heavier dust particles against the wall. Any liquid entrained within the remaining vapor is
removed by the demister. Lighter particles hit the vane stages, where much of the vapor
liquid contact takes place. Acidic gases are converted to neutral salts and other solids so that
the pH of the gas is 7 or 8. Gas exits at the top, while liquid and dust particles exit at the
bottom.
(Copyright CMISchneible, Holly, MI) (Copyright MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC)
A mist eliminator, installed near the top of the spray tower, removes droplets of alkaline
reactant that are transported by the flue gas stream. Mist eliminators can be made from
polypropylene, fiberreinforced plastic, polysulfone, or stainless steel. These mist eliminators
can accumulate solids which can cause corrosion, fouling, and heat related damage, so
regular maintenance is critical.
USAGE EXAMPLES
Wet scrubbers are used by the food industry, such as in cheese processing, for dust and
ambient moisture removal. They also capture airborne dust in the processing of a number of
cereals.
(Copyright Wisconsin Milk Marketing

Board, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin)
Can also recover waste heat Complex design
Can handle flammable feeds and dust High maintenance costs
Can neutralize corrosive gas Corrosion problems with interior metal
Can be used in a multistaged
configuration
No secondary dust sources
Relatively small space requirements
Can handle hightemperature, high
humidity gas streams
Low capital cost
Return to Top
STIRRED TANK
Stirred tanks, also called agitated tanks or CSTRs, are used when the absorption process
includes a slow liquidphase chemical reaction, or when close control of the process is
needed. In a stirred tank, the gas is introduced directly into the liquid and mixed by the
stirrer. The solids are suspended.
A cylindrical tank is typically used, with a liquid depth of one or two diameters. There are no
stages in a tank. Impellers, described in the Mixers section of this Encyclopedia, are the most
commonly used agitator. Propellers and turbines are also used.
(Copyright DCI, Inc., St. Cloud, MN)
USAGE EXAMPLES
Agitated tanks can be used in lime slurry carbonation, paper stock chlorination, regular oil
hydrogenation, fermentation broth aeration, penicillin production, citric acid production, and
aeration of activated sludge.
Effective for reacting systems Some types of agitators may cause
vortices
High pressure drop
Return to Top
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Advanced Air Technologies, Inc., Corunna, MI
Amistco Separation Products Inc., Alvin, TX
Clean Gas Systems, Inc., Hauppauge, NY
CMISchneible, Holly, MI
Croll Reynolds, Inc., Parsippany, NJ
DCI, Inc., St. Cloud, MN
MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC
Sly Inc., Strongsville, OH
Sulzer Chemtech Ltd., Switzerland
TriMer Corporation, Owosso, MI
Vendome Copper and Brass Works, Inc., Louisville, KY
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin
REFERENCES
Chisholm, D. Heat Transfer Technology. New York: Elsevier Applied Science, 1988.
Cooper, C. D. Air Pollution Control Methods. KirkOthmer Encyclopedia of Chemical
Technology. New York: WileyInterscience, 2007.
Darton, R. C. "Distillation and Absorption Technology: Current Market and New
Developments." Chemical Engineering Research and Design September 97: 435438.
Deckwer, W. D. Bubble Column Reactors. Chichester: Wiley, 1992.
Geankoplis, Christie J. Transport Processes and Unit Operations. 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
PrenticeHall, 1993.
Hong, Allan, Ravindra K. Mariwala, and Michael S. Kane. "Adsorbate Shape Selectivity:
Separation of the HF/134a Azeotrope over Carbogenic Molecular Sieve." Industrial and
Engineering Chemistry Research. 34 (1995): 992996.
Jenkins, Scott. "Facts At Your Fingertips: Wet Scrubbers." Chemical Engineering. December
2012: 27. Print.
Kohl, Arthur L. "Absorption and Stripping." Handbook of Separation Process Technology. Ed.
Ronald W. Rousseau. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1987: 340344, 385387.
Laso, M. and von Stockar, U. "Absorption." KirkOthmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology.
New York: WileyInterscience, 2007.
Meyers, Robert A, ed. Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology. 2nd ed. Vols. 1 and
13. Orlando, Fl: Academic Press, 1987.
Morris, G. A., and J. Jackson. Absorption Towers: With Special Reference to the Design of
Packed Towers for Absorption and Stripping. London: Butterworths Publications, 1953.
Perry, Robert H., and Don W. Green. Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. 7th ed. New
York: McGrawHill Inc., 1997: 144 148, 1423 1430, 1454 1456, 1732 1739.
Schifftner, Kenneth C. and Howard E. Hesketh. Wet Scrubbers. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Ann
Arbor Science Publishers, 1983.
Treybal, Robert E. 3rd ed. Mass Transfer Operations. New York: McGrawHill, 1980. 139210.
Walas, Stanley M. Chemical Process Equipment. Boston: ButterworthHeinenmann, 1990.
Zarzycki, Roman and Andrzej Chacuk. Absorption: Fundamentals & Applications. New York:
Pergamon, 1993.
DEVELOPERS
Sujata Naik
Steve Wesorick
Steve Cotton
Thomas Plegue
Nathan Hoffman
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2/22/2017 AbsorbersSeparations:ChemicalMELEquipmentEncyclopedia4.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT

(Copyright TriMer Corporation, Owosso, MI)

(Copyright MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC)

(Copyright Amistco Separation Products Inc., Alvin, TX)

(Copyright Sulzer Chemtech Ltd., Switzerland)

SprayNozzle Distributor Extraction Distributor Slotted Distributor

(Copyright TriMer Corporation, Owosso, MI)

(Copyright Croll Reynolds, Inc., Parsippany, NJ)

(Copyright TriMer Corporation, Owosso, MI)

(Copyright Sulzer Chemtech Ltd., Switzerland)

(Copyright Vendome Copper & Brass Works Louisville, KY)

(Copyright Clean Gas Systems, Inc.,

(Copyright Clean Gas Systems, Inc.,

(Copyright Sly Inc., Strongsville, OH)

(Copyright Sly Inc., (Copyright Advanced Air

(Copyright MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC)

(Copyright MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC)

(Copyright Sly Inc., Strongsville, OH)

(Copyright Sly Inc., Strongsville, OH)

(Copyright CMISchneible, Holly, MI) (Copyright MikroPul, Inc., Charlotte, NC)

(Copyright Wisconsin Milk Marketing

(Copyright DCI, Inc., St. Cloud, MN)

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