Experiment No.

6
Aim:
To calculate air side mass transfer coefficient of wetted wall column.

Apparatus:
wetted wall column, pump, and blower.

Introduction:
A thin film of liquid falling down inside a vertical pipe up through which gas
flow constitutes a wetted column. Wetted wall columns have been used
successfully as absorbers. It consists of a vertical column where liquid flows as
a thin film along the inner wall, while gas flows countercurrently or cocurrently.
The rate of diffusion in a wetted wall column is determined using mass transfer
principles, specifically Fick’s law. The gas-liquid mass transfer process occurs
as the gas diffuses into the thin liquid film flowing along the column walls.
The rate of diffusion of a gas (A) into the liquid phase can be expressed as:
NA=kG(CA,g−CA,i)
N_A = k_G (C_{A,g} - C_{A,i})
NA=kG(CA,g−CA,i)
where:
 NAN_ANA = Molar flux of gas A (moles per unit area per second,
mol/m²·s)
 kGk_GkG = Gas-phase mass transfer coefficient (m/s)
 CA,gC_{A,g}CA,g = Bulk gas concentration of species A (mol/m³)
 CA,iC_{A,i}CA,i = Interfacial gas concentration of A at the gas-liquid
interface (mol/m³)
Alternatively, in terms of liquid-phase mass transfer:
NA=kL(CA,i−CA,L)N_A = k_L (C_{A,i} - C_{A,L})NA=kL(CA,i−CA,L)
where:
 kLk_LkL = Liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient (m/s)
 CA,LC_{A,L}CA,L = Concentration of A in the liquid bulk (mol/m³

Working Principle
 A liquid (e.g., water, solvent) is introduced at the top and flows down as a
thin film along the column walls.
 A gas is introduced either at the top (cocurrent) or at the bottom
(countercurrent).
 The large surface area of the liquid film enhances mass transfer between
the gas and the liquid.
 The system is often used to determine gas-liquid mass transfer
coefficients.

Equipment:
A wetted wall column consists of a simple but effective design for studying gas-
liquid mass transfer. The structure of the column is as follows:
1. Main Components
(a) Cylindrical Column (Vertical Tube)
 Made of glass, stainless steel, or other corrosion-resistant materials.
 Typically 2-10 cm in diameter and 50-150 cm in height.
 The inner surface of the column acts as the wetted wall, where the liquid
film flows down.
(b) Liquid Distributor (At the Top)
 Ensures uniform liquid flow along the inner walls.
 May include a spray nozzle, perforated plate, or annular ring to distribute
liquid evenly.
 Helps maintain a thin liquid film, which is essential for efficient mass
transfer.
(c) Gas Inlet & Outlet
  Gas Inlet: Located at the top (cocurrent flow) or at the bottom
(countercurrent flow).
 Gas Outlet: Positioned at the opposite end to allow proper gas flow.
(d) Liquid Collection System (At the Bottom)
 A liquid reservoir or collection tray at the base collects the liquid after it
flows down the walls.
 A recirculation pump may be used to recycle the liquid.
(e) Flow Controllers
 Gas Flow Controller: Regulates gas flow rate for precise control of gas-
liquid interaction.
 Liquid Flow Controller: Ensures a steady and uniform liquid film
thickness.
(f) Thermocouples & Sensors (Optional)
 Used to measure temperature, pressure, and concentration of gas and
liquid phases.
 Helps in determining mass transfer coefficients and reaction kinetics.

Experimental procedure:
1. Water is fed at a rate such that complete wetting of surface occurs and
minimum ripple formation is visible. The blower is started and a
minimum flow of air is maintained.
2. After about ten minutes steady conditions prevailed, the humidity of air at
inlet and outlet are determined by readings of the wet and dry bulb
thermometers using the psychrometric chart.
3. Water flow rate, inlet and outlet temp are noted.
4. Calculations are made at different flow rates and values of Kg are plotted
against respective Reynolds number (Re) on a log-log graph sheet.
5. Here the air is enriched with CO₂, hence it can be used as air mixture with
a suitable quantity of CO₂ vapours or one feed of water as controlled with
respective mt coefficients.
Result:
The experiment has been studied and its various applications have been
understood and the experiment demonstrated that the wetted wall column
provides a controlled environment for studying gas-liquid mass transfer
phenomena. It highlighted the importance of maintaining a uniform liquid film
on the column wall to ensure consistent diffusion rates. The findings confirmed
that the column is highly effective in determining mass transfer coefficients and
gas absorption rates, making it useful for designing large-scale gas absorption
and chemical reaction processes.

Precautions:
1. For condenser, cold water supply should be constant.
2. Do not switch the pump at low voltage.
3. Air should be moisture free.
4. Wet bulb temp should be properly contacted with water.

Applications:
1. Gas Absorption Studies – Used to study the absorption of gases like CO₂,
SO₂, and NH₃ in liquids.
2. Mass Transfer Coefficient Determination – Helps in evaluating gas-side
(k_G) and liquid-side (k_L) mass transfer coefficients.
3. Diffusion Coefficient Measurement – Used to determine the diffusivity of
gases in liquids for industrial processes.
4. Air Pollution Control – Helps design scrubbers for removing pollutants
like SO₂ and NOₓ from industrial emissions.
5. Chemical & Petrochemical Industries – Used in gas-liquid reactions, such
as amine-based CO₂ absorption in refineries.
6. Water Treatment & Desalination – Used in oxygen dissolution studies and
degassing of liquids.
7. Pharmaceutical & Biotech Applications – Helps in oxygen transfer
studies in fermentation and bioreactor systems.