Mass Transfer Operations -I

Prof. Bishnupada Mandal

Department of Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati

Lecture - 25
Absorption in plate column Method of McCabe & Thiele-graphical determination
of ideal trays and Introduction to multicomponent absorption

Welcome to the 5th lecture of module 4 of mass transfer operation. In this module, we
are discussing Absorption Mass Transfer. Before going to this lecture let us have brief
recap on our previous lecture. In our previous lecture, we have discussed three important
things.

(Refer Slide Time: 00:57)

One is design based on HETP method - Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate HETP
method. And second thing we have considered how to simplify the general procedure for
designing a packed towers and how to simplify the packed tower design equation to
calculate the height of packing require for the dilute gases.

So, design for packed towers for dilute gases. The third thing we have considered here
the packed tower design for concentrated gases. In this lecture, we will mostly consider
on the design of plate towers and both for the single component absorption and also for
introduction to the multi-component system. Now, let us consider absorption in tray
towers. As we have introduced during the discussion of our equipment for absorption
and distillation process, there are two major towers one is packed towers and another is
tray towers or tray absorber.

(Refer Slide Time: 02:51)

So, in this case, in tray absorber to find out the number of ideal trays we can use there is
a special kind of design procedure which is known as McCabe-Thiele diagram type. So,
you can see over here in the packed towers the liquid which enter at the top having this
composition and the gases which enter at the bottom and which is in this composition,
and also the gas flow rate and liquid flow rate both gases of the inlet liquid and gas are
mentioned over here. And we have a outlet liquid at the bottom and outlet gas at the top,
both the flow rates and their compositions are mentioned. And trays are numbered from
the top of the column 1, 2, 3 up to N p.

So, as you can see from this is counter current absorber. So, we will mostly consider
counter current absorber design over here for the plate columns. The McCabe-Thiele
diagram is most useful when the operating line is straight. If the operating lines are
straight, this is easier to do the graphical calculation of number of ideal trays. So, for
these we need to require some assumptions that is the energy balances be automatically
satisfied and liquid flow rate by vapour flow rate remains constant. So, the ratio remains
constant L by G.
(Refer Slide Time: 04:39)

Now, in order for energy balance to be automatically satisfied, we must assume that the
heat of absorption is negligible, so very negligible heat of absorption. There is a
reactions between the solvent and the solute because of the solubility of a certain
component based on the affinity of the solvent it generates huge amount of heat then we
cannot use this type of method.

Only the cases where heat of absorption is negligible then only this energy balance
would be automatically satisfied and operations should be isothermal in nature. These
two assumptions will know guarantee satisfaction of the enthalpy balance equation when
the gas and liquid streams are both fairly dilute the assumptions will probably be
satisfied. So, basically when we have a dilute gas mixture and the solute transfer is
negligible, so the change of heat due to the absorption is very less and we can consider
isothermal operation of the column.
(Refer Slide Time: 05:55)

Now, it is usually convenient, for tray towers, to define the flow rates L and G simply as
mole per hour, rather than based on the unit tower cross section. And we also desire a
straight operating line. So, this is the things we need this will automatically true if we
define L by G is equal to moles of nonvolatile solvent per hour divided by moles of
insoluble carrier gas per hour.

So, this is L by G. And if we assume that now solvent is nonvolatile and carrier gas is
insoluble. So, if we have a mixture of say certain component like oxygen and nitrogen,
and now we consider nitrogen is inert for the solvent nitrogen is insoluble and oxygen is
only soluble, then the other case if we take a solvent which does not vaporize or it
considered essentially nonvolatile in nature, then this energy balance will be
automatically satisfied or L by G remains you know constant.
(Refer Slide Time: 07:09)

The result of this last two assumptions are that the mass balance is for the solvents, so
the liquid flow rates remain constant throughout the column. So, you can see, so L 0
which is entering at the top then at any section of the column J is L j and would be equal
to L N p which is coming out and we can call it L as constant. Similarly, the mass
balances for the carrier gas now G N p plus 1 which is entering here and then it is know
G j at this location and then G 1 at the know first plate and then G which is coming out
over here, this is the gas flow rate which is coming out at the exit at top of the column, so
that remains constant.

(Refer Slide Time: 08:13)

Then the derivation for this you know figure we can write inlet stream L is L naught and
the inlet G stream is G N p plus 1. So, L naught and G N p plus 1 that is the inlet
conditions instead of G 2 as for the single stage, like in single stage we used G 2 so
instead of G N p plus 1. So, bottom we mentioned you know position 2 and top at
position 1. So, instead of that it is G N p plus 1.

The product outlet stream is G 1 over here and instead of L N p which is over here. The
total number of stages here is considered N p which is number from top 1, 2. N p, so,
total number of stages is N p.

(Refer Slide Time: 09:17)

Now, if we do the overall balance on all stages throughout the column, the inlet is L
naught and G N p plus one1 so, this one and the exit which is L N p and G 1. So, this is
the overall material balance on all stages. Now, if we do the component balance for the
species, so of the solute with the inlet liquid we have L naught X naught. And similarly
with the inlet gases is plus G N p plus 1 into Y capital Y N p plus 1, so which is over
here. So, this is the inlet and the exit composition is L N p into X N p that is over here
and then multiplied by G 1 into capital Y 1. So, this is the overall component balance.

Now, making a total material balance over first n stages if we consider any stage n from
top then if we do that it would be L naught plus G n plus 1 would be equal to L n plus G
1. Now, making a component balance over that section of the know column for the first n
stages, so we would obtain L naught X naught plus G n plus 1 into capital Y n plus 1 is
equal to L n X n plus G 1 Y 1; so, this is equation 4.

(Refer Slide Time: 11:21)

Now, if we solve for this equation, so this is our equations we have done for the first n-
stages component balance. Now, if we solve for Y n plus 1 we can write Y n plus 1
would be equal to L n, X n plus G 1 Y 1 minus L naught X naught by G n plus 1. So, this
is an important material balance equation and it is often called an operating line. So, you
can see the operating line has an intercept over here with the no composition G 1 Y 1
minus L naught X naught by G n plus 1. This is the slope of the curve into X n.

(Refer Slide Time: 12:15)

Now, if we apply the assumption that the above equations becomes Y n plus 1 is equal to
L by G X n plus Y 1 minus L by G X naught. So, this is equation 6. And this is a straight
line with the slope L by G. Now, intercept as we said intercept is this part Y 1 minus L
by G X naught. And thus if we plot Y versus X, we have a McCabe-Thiele type of graph
as shown in the figure over here. So, we have the equilibrium curve this one is
equilibrium curve and this is no either L s by G s or essentially we can call it L by G.
With this slope we have this operating line. This is the operating line equation.

(Refer Slide Time: 13:15)

And then to find out the number of plates, we need to follow the certain steps plot Y
versus X equilibrium data convert into mole fraction to ratios at you can see capital Y
and capital X these are plotted over here in mole ratio in it. And then values of X naught,
Y N p plus 1, Y 1 and L by G are known. So, all these a point these are the inlet know
composition for the liquid, this is inlet composition for the gas, this is the exit
composition for the gas and L by G these are known.

So, the point X naught Y 1 that is known on this point. So, operating lines since it
represents the passing streams. So, this is known to us. And then slope L by G we know.
So, with that we can plot the operating line. We have plotted the equilibrium line here,
and we can plot the operating line with this know data then we can calculate the number
of stage.

Now, starting from this point, so this is the passing streams at every point or mixing
point we can say that mixing point. And from here know what it reads a at a particular
plate, it reaches to the equilibrium for the ideal stages. So, from this passing streams, so
we need to pass it to the equilibrium line. So, this represents one equilibrium stage or one
ideal stage. So, from the mixing point for a particular tray and it moves to the if you
move to the equilibrium line and this is one tray, so, this is the first tray.

Now, from this, what will happen this know composition with X 1 liquid and the gases
which will pass through that liquid you having the composition of Y 2. So, you move to
the you know operating line and then you move to the equilibrium curve with the so this
is the mix another mixing point and then you move to the equilibrium curve, so, these
two represent the second stage.

So, now in similar way if you just make the staircase arrangement from this mixing
point, you go to the equilibrium line and go to the operating line this represents one
equilibrium stage. So, similarly you can plot till the exit concentration is reached. And
then when you reach the know bottom tray composition, you need to stop to find out the
number of trays required, so which is N p over here shown over here.

So, this is N p number of stages and you can see it reaches the bottom of the tower
composition which is Y N p plus 1 and X N p. So, this way we can find out graphically
using the McCabe-Thiele type of diagram to calculate the number of ideal stage required
for a particular separation.

(Refer Slide Time: 16:51)

Let us consider an example to solve this type of problem. So, ammonia is to be absorbed
from a air mixture counter-currently in a plate column with fresh water. Ammonia
concentration is reduced from 10 mole percent to 1 mole percent and the inlet water and
gas rates are respectively 500 and 400 kg per meter square second. Now, we need to
calculate the number of actual plate require for an absorber, know equilibrium data for
the system is given at 20 degree centigrade and 1 atmosphere pressure it is given capital
X and capital Y, these are given. And molar masses of air ammonia and water they are
given 29, 17 and 18 kg per k mole. Now, plate efficiency is given 70 percent for all
plates in the column. So, now, we need to calculate the actual number of plates required
for this separation.

Now, the equilibrium data for the system at 20 degree centigrade and 1 atmosphere
pressure is given. Now, assume that the solubility of air in water is negligible compared
to the solubility of ammonia. So, air is considered as a inert carrier gas with respect to
know ammonia and it is insoluble in water so the compared to the solubility of ammonia.
Molecular weight of the inlet gas we can calculate. So, which is 90 percent of air, so it is
0.9 into 29 plus 10 percent of ammonia which is 0.1 into 17, so it is 27.8 kg per k mole.

(Refer Slide Time: 18:49)

Now, we can calculate G 1 which is at the exit stream of top of the column which is 400
divided by 27 average molecular weight is 27.8. So, it is 14.39 kilo mole per meter
square second. Now, of this total we have 90 percent is air. So, 90 percent would be
12.95 kilo mole per meter square second is air. Now, ammonia in the feed stream is no
14.39 into 0.1 is the mole fraction of ammonia in the feed stream.

So, it is 1.439 kilo mole per meter square second, so, ammonia in the feed stream. And
then this G 2 the gas flow rate G 2 would be 12.95 plus 1.39 into 0.1, so it is 13.09 kilo
mole per meter square second. The inlet liquid is pure water. So, L 2 would be 500 by
18, so which is equal to 27.78 kilo mole per meter square second.

So, L 1 would be equal to L 2 plus G 1 minus G 2, so which is essentially 27.78 and

14.39 is your know G 1 and then G 2 is 13.09. So, if we substitute here, so it would be
29.09 kilo mole per meter square second. So, we have the data G 1 L 1 and G 2 and L 2

(Refer Slide Time: 20:43)

Now, compare liquid and gas flow rates at both top and bottom, before deciding if the
system is dilute or not. So, if we look into that L 2 by G 2, it is around 27.78 by 13.09,
which is 2.12. Similarly, L 1 by G 1 if we divide 29.09 divided by 14.39, which is 2.02.
So, if the average if we take average L by G would be 2.12 plus 2.02 divided by 2, which
is 2.07. So, essentially L by G is known almost close to each other and we can assume
they are constants.

So, these values are close enough to justify an approximation of the liquid-to-gas ratio of
2.07 throughout the column. And y 1 is known, it is 0.1, because 10 percent ammonia.
And y 2 is you know 0.01, because it is 1 percent ammonia in the exit stream, so that has
to be reduced from 10 mole percent of ammonia to 1 mole percent of ammonia.

(Refer Slide Time: 22:05)

Now, liquid solvent which is water contents no solute at the entry solvent is solute free.
So, X 2 is 0, capital Y 1, we can calculate which is equal to small y 1 divided by 1 minus
y 1, which is 0.1 divided by 1 minus 0.1, which is 0.12. And similarly, Y 2 we can
calculate is equal to small y 2 divided by 1 minus y 2 and which is essentially 0.01
divided by 1 minus 0.01 and which is essentially 0.0101. So, mole ratio unit capital Y 1,
and capital Y 2 is known.

Now, average L by G into X 1 minus X 2 would be equal to Y 1 minus Y 2, this is from

the this is mole balance. If we substitute average L by G, which is 2.07 into X 1 minus X
2 would be equal to 0.12 minus 0.0101. From here and also as the entry is the solvent is
solute free, so it is X 2 would be essentially 0. We will have X 1 minus X 2 would be
these X 1 would be 0.053. So, X 1 is now calculated capital X 1 and capital X 2 is
known.
(Refer Slide Time: 23:37)

When drawn on the graph, the gap between the operating line and the equilibrium data
gives 3.5 theoretical plate. So, you can just look into the graph and you have the initial
point which is you know capital X naught, which is basically X 2 is 0, Y 1 which is
somewhere here. So, this is Y 1, so this point is known. And final composition, it will go
to 0.053. So, you start from here. And then move to the equilibrium curve from the
mixing point. So, this is one equilibrium stage.

Then move to the operating line and again move to the equilibrium curve. So, you will
have another ideal stages and similar procedure you can follow. So, you will have
another the third stage. And then you can move and you can go to the exit stream
composition that is 0.053 and we can consider this half plate from the graph. So,
essentially, we will get 3.5 stage.

Now, as the efficiency for the plate is 70 percent, so the number of real trays required.
So, each plate is having the efficiency of 0.7, 70 percent efficiency. The ideal plate
divided by 0.7 is the actual plate required to perform this job. So, essentially it will give
5 actual plates needed for the separation. So, this is how we can use the McCabe-Thiele
method to calculate the number of ideal plates and then we can calculate number of
actual plate required for a given job.
(Refer Slide Time: 25:45)

Let us move to the absorption in tray tower, for multicomponent absorption as also a
stripping. Now, when the gas content several soluble components or the liquid contains
several volatile once for stripping, some modifications are needed. So, we cannot use the
same method as we have done for the single component systems. The computational are
to be started at the bottom of the tower. So, we have to start the computation at the
bottom of the tower. And the outlet liquid temperature and the composition must be
known that is required to start the calculation for the multicomponent system.

So, in this case, it requires the outlet gas temperature be estimated. So, based on this
known outlet liquid and composition, we can calculate the outlet gas temperature, so
which is going at the top? So, our calculation starts at the bottom, where we need the
outlet liquid exit for counter current absorption tower, the liquid exit at the bottom. So,
its temperature and composition is known.

If you proceed to the gas exit at the top of the column, then we need to estimate the
temperature which is showing out at top of the tower. So, to complete the enthalpy
balance, it also requires that the complete outlet gas composition with respect to all
components be estimated at the start. If that is there, so then we can complete the
enthalpy balance equation.
(Refer Slide Time: 27:27)

The quantity which are generally fixed for this design are the rate of flow, composition,
and temperature of the entering gas. The second thing which is fixed is composition and
temperature of the entering liquid, not the liquid flow rate. The pressure of operation at
which it will be operated, and the heat gain or loss.

(Refer Slide Time: 27:55)

Under these circumstances the principal variable still remaining, which are highlighted
here the liquid flow rate or the L by G ratio, either liquid flow rate or L by G ratio should
be remaining which has to be estimated. The number of ideal trays required for the
separation. And then the fractional absorption of any one component, since it is
multicomponent absorption or stripping. The fractional absorption of a particular
component has to be known or it is a principal variable over here.

(Refer Slide Time: 28:37)

So, now among these three, if any two can be arbitrarily fixed for a given design. So,
when the two have been specified, the third is automatically fixed. So, now out of these
three know variables, if we can decide any two, the third will be automatically fixed. So,
as a result, for tray to tray calculation outlet temperature and the complete outlet
composition is to be checked.

So, we need to have a arbitrarily fixed design parameters, we need to have a an

approximate procedure to get those data to be fixed. And this is provided through an
appropriate procedure offered by the Kremser equation. So, Kremser equation apply for
constant absorption factor as we have discussed before. And or through some procedure
which allow the variation of the absorption factor with tray number, either constant
absorption factor or there would be some procedure, which will allow the variation of the
absorption factor from tray to tray and it is for each component.
(Refer Slide Time: 29:49)

So, over here this is know multitray absorber or stripper. Similar to the one, we have
shown earlier. Since all components can transfer between the gas and liquid. So, there
may be no substance which passes through a constant rate, so because all the substances
are transferring from one phase to the other. So, the constant rate for each substance
know may not be there, so that is why, it is very convenient. If we define the gas
composition in terms of the entering gas and entering liquid, so all the composition if we
can define with the entering gas and liquid composition which are known to us, then it
would be easier to compute.

(Refer Slide Time: 30:39)

Thus for any component in liquid leaving any tray n, so over here. We can define X n
dash is the mole of component in tray n divided by the moles of liquid entering. So,
know moles of component know particular component in tray n, if we considered x n and
with a liquid flow rate L n divided by L naught is the know entering a liquid feed flow
rate, so this is X n dash.

Similarly, for the gas it is capital Y n dash would be equal to small y n G n divided by G
N p plus 1. So, this is known X n dash and Y n dash, these are defined based on the inlet
flow rate which is known for the liquid and the gas. So, small x n and small y n are the
usual mole fractions over here.

(Refer Slide Time: 31:45)

Now, consider the tray absorber as shown over here. And if you do a material balance for
any component about the equilibrium tray n, so this one, so we can write L naught X n
dash minus X n minus 1 dash would be equal to G N p plus 1 into Y n plus 1 dash minus
Y n dash. So, this is the know material balance for any component about an equilibrium
tray n. Now, the equilibrium relation for the equilibrium tray n is we can write small y n
would be equal to m n x n.

So, now if we substitute equation 1 and equation 2 in equation 4, equation 1 and equation
2 is basically the know mole ratio, we have calculated based on the known inlet flow
rates. So, if you substitute in equation 4 over here, so we will essentially get capital Y n
dash G N p plus 1 by G n would be equal to m n X n dash into L naught by L n.
(Refer Slide Time: 33:09)

Now, similarly for n minus 1 tray, we can write Y n minus 1 dash G N p plus 1 by G n
minus 1 would be equal to m n minus 1 into X n minus 1 into L naught by L n minus 1.
Now, from equation 5 and 6, so this is equation 5 and this is equation 6. So, from 5 and
6, we can write X n dash would be equal to Y n dash G N p plus 1 divided by m n G n
into L n by L naught. And X n minus 1 dash would be equal to Y n minus 1 dash G N p
plus 1 divided by m n minus 1 into G n minus 1 whole into L n minus 1 by L naught.
After rearrangement of these two equations, we can write this.

(Refer Slide Time: 34:09)

Now, if we substitute the X n dash and X n minus 1 dash in equation 3 and then we
rearrange the same. So, this is X n dash and this is X n minus 1 dash as we have derived
before, this is the equation 3. Now, if we substitute these two know, it will give Y n dash
would be equal to Y n plus 1 dash plus A n minus 1 into Y n minus 1 dash divided by 1
plus A n. In this case, A n is equal to L n by m n G n and A n minus 1 is L n minus 1 by
m n minus 1 into G n minus 1. So, these are the know component of absorption factors
on two trays for A n an A n minus 1. So, nth tray absorption factor and n minus 1th tray
absorption factor.

(Refer Slide Time: 35:13)

For absorber which contains only one tray, if n is equal to 1, say equation 7 becomes this
is equation 7 and from this we can write it is Y 1 dash would be equal to Y 2 dash plus A
naught into Y naught dash divided by 1 plus A 1. So, just substitute n with 1, then from
7, we can get equation 8.

Now, from equation 6, when n is equal to 1, we can write so this is the equation 6. And
when n is equal to 1, we can get Y naught dash would be equal to m naught X naught
dash L naught by L naught into G not by G N p plus 1, which is equal to m naught X
naught dash G naught by G N p plus 1. We can now write A naught Y naught dash is
equal to L naught by m naught G naught into m naught X naught dash G naught divided
by G N p plus 1, which is equal to L naught X naught dash divided by G N p plus 1. So,
substituting this equation 10 in equation 8 over here if we substitute, then we will obtain
equation 11 which is Y 1 dash would be equal to Y 2 dash plus L naught X naught dash
divided by G N p plus 1 by 1 plus A 1. So, this is you know Y 1 dash.

(Refer Slide Time: 36:57)

And then similarly, if we just proceed for two trays, so we will just substitute in the same
equation 7 with n is equal to 2. And know essentially you will obtain Y 2 dash, this is the
substitute equation 11 in equation 12 which we have obtained, this is equation 11 which
we have derived for Y 1 dash. So, substitute this Y 1 dash into this, so you will
essentially obtain this relation equation 13.

And similarly, for three tray tower n is equal to 3 and you will obtain the equation 14.
So, as you can see it will be Y 3 dash would be equal to A 1 A 2 plus A 2 plus 1 Y 4
dash plus A 1 A 2 A naught into L naught into X 0 X naught dash divided by G N p plus
1 divided by A 1 A 2 into A 3 plus A 2 into A 3 plus A 3 plus 1.
(Refer Slide Time: 38:03)

So, similarly for N p trays, n is equal to N p for know all the trays in a tray column of N
p number of trays. If we substitute, we will obtain know Y N p dash, so which is you
know based on the know, the inlet gas composition and the liquid composition with the
absorption factor, we can know relate with them. So, in order to eliminate Y N p over
here, which is inside the absorber. A component material balance about the entire
absorber is required, so which is know over here. So, this is the entire absorption tower
know component balance. And if n is equal to N p in equation 5, then we can write this is
Y N p dash, so this is the equation.

(Refer Slide Time: 38:59)

And then from equation 16 and 17, this is equation 16 and 17 eliminate X N p and
substitute Y N p dash in equation 17, so this is equation 17. And know if you do the
rearrangements of you know using equation 15, so we will have the equation 18, which
is know free from any composition inside the column.

(Refer Slide Time: 39:31)

So, this equation 18 over here, so this equation. So, this is know is an expression for the
fractional absorption of any components, because it is based only upon the material
balance and the condition of equilibrium which defines an ideal tray. A similar
expression for the stripper would be like this S 1and S 2 up to S N p and S N p minus 1,
these are the stripping factor. And just inverse of the absorption factor and this is also
based on the liquid compositions outside the tower.
(Refer Slide Time: 40:17)

So, in order to use equation 18 and 19, what we need the L by G ratio for each tray and
the tray temperature, which determines the m’s the equilibrium the Henry’s constant and
it is also required to compute A’s and S’s that is absorption factor and stripping factor. If
the liquid are not ideal, m for any component on any tray additionally depends upon the
complete liquid composition.

So, if liquid are not ideal that will also depend on the complete liquid composition on
that tray. The same is true for the gas composition under condition for which the gas
solutions are not ideal. So, if also the gas phase are not ideal not only liquid, the same
features will also valid for the no it depends on the gas composition as well.
(Refer Slide Time: 41:21)

The equations are, therefore practically useful only for the ideal solutions. So, this should
be remembered that this is practically useful only for ideal solutions. Now, in order to
simplify the computation, know Edmister has written the Horten-Franklin equation in
terms of the average or effective absorption and stripping factor instead of know variable
A’s and S’s, so absorption factor and stripping factor for each tray.

So, if we can use the average absorption factor or stripping factor, then it would be know
simplify the computation. Thus for the absorption equation 18 which becomes like this,
this is equation 18. And this can be written as like this Y N p plus 1 dash minus Y 1 dash
divided by Y dash N p plus 1 would be equal to 1 minus L naught X naught dash divided
by A dash G N p plus 1 into Y N p plus 1 and whole into A E to the power N p plus 1
minus A E divided by A E to the power N p plus 1 minus 1. So, A E is the average or
effective absorption factor over here.
(Refer Slide Time: 42:49)

Similarly, know for a two tray absorber, it develops this equation. And know effective
absorption factor or average absorption factor can be know defined like this. Similarly
for stripping, we can obtain this relation for using the average stripping factor and X
dash can be written over here. So, this is for the stripping column design and this is for
the plate towers using effective absorption factor. And this is for the tray column design
for multicomponent systems.

And S E is the effective stripping factor which is given over here, after the
simplification. With this method the simplify design, which is presented over here for the
multicomponent systems. And this is only valid for the ideal solutions. These are know
basically the simplified procedure and you can learn more on the know if it is non-ideal
system both gas and liquid phase and how to do the computation for that.

So, thank you for attending this lecture, we will continue our discussion on the mass
transfer operation for the next module which is module 5 and that would be our final
module for distillation.