GAS ABSORPTION

LECTURE 2
 MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES
Two-film theory
• In absorption, solute from gas phase must diffuse into liquid
phase.
• The rate of diffusion in both phases affect the overall rate of
mass transfer.
• Assumption in two-film theory:
A) equilibrium is assumed at the interface
B) the resistance to mass transfer in the two phases are
added to get an overall resistance.
 MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES

Figure 10.4-1. Concentration profile of a solute a diffusing through two phases.

yAG = gas bulk phase concentration

xAL = liquid bulk phase concentration
yAi = interface gas concentration
xAi = interface liquid concentration
 MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES

• From Figure 10.4-1:

• Assuming solute A is diffusing from the bulk gas phase G
to the liquid phase L, it must pass through phase G,
through the interface and then into phase L in series.
• A concentration gradient must exists to cause this mass
transfer through the resistances in each phase.
• The average/bulk concentration of A in gas phase is yAG,
yAG = pA/P and in the bulk liquid phase is xAL.
• The concentration of yAG decreases to yAi at the
interface. The liquid concentration starts at xAi at the
interface and falls to xAL.
• At interface, no resistance, xAi and yAi are in equilibrium.
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS TRANSFER
COEFFICIENT AND INTERFACE CONCENTRATION
• To get the value of xAi and yAi from the graph (Figure 10.4-2/10.4-3) :
• Get the slope value:
• Equimolar counterdiffusion :

• A diffusing through stagnant B:

• First trial:
• (1-yA)iM and (1-xA)iM is assumed 1.0
• Plot the slope on graph (as shown in Figure 10.4-2/10.4-3) and get the value of
xAi and yAi
• Second trial:
• Use xAi and yAi from first trial and get the new slope using equation below
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS TRANSFER
COEFFICIENT AND INTERFACE CONCENTRATION
• To get the value of xAi and yAi from the graph:
• Second trial (con’t):
• Plot the new slope on graph and get the new value of xAi and
yAi
• If the value of the slope is not close to the first trial, continue
find the slope until get the close value
• If the value of the slope is close, calculate the flux using the
equation below:

• The final value of mass flux must be similar for both equation.
 MASS TRANSFER USING OVERALL MASS
TRANSFER COEFFICIENT
• Get the yA* / xA* value from the graph (as shown in Figure 10.4-
2/10.4-3)
• Get the slope, m’ between point E & M / m” between point M & D
• Slope m’:

• Slope m”:

• Get the value of:

 MASS TRANSFER USING OVERALL MASS
TRANSFER COEFFICIENT
• Find K’y / K’x value:

• K’y :

• K’x :
 MASS TRANSFER USING OVERALL MASS
TRANSFER COEFFICIENT
• Get the mass flux:
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS TRANSFER
COEFFICIENT AND INTERFACE CONCENTRATION

Point P = bulk phase compositions

yAG and xAL

Point M = interface concentrations

yAi and xAi

Figure 10.4-2. Concentration driving forces and interface concentrations in

interphase mass transfer (equimolar counterdiffusions).
 MASS TRANSFER USING FILM MASS TRANSFER
COEFFICIENT AND INTERFACE CONCENTRATION

Point P = bulk phase compositions

yAG and xAL

Point M = interface concentrations

yAi and xAi

Figure 10.4-3. Concentration driving forces and interface concentrations in

interphase mass transfer (A diffusing through stagnant B).
 MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES
• Nomenclature:
k’y = mass-transfer coefficient in gas phase
k’x = mass-transfer coefficient in liquid phase
K’y = overall mass-transfer coefficient in gas
phase
K’x = overall mass-transfer coefficient in liquid
phase
a = interfacial area per unit volume
Example 10.4-1
Example 10.4-1
Example 10.4-1
Example 10.4-1
Example 10.4-1
Example 10.4-1
Example 10.4-2
Example 10.4-2