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Unit - 1 (Lec-2)

This document outlines the procedure for determining the diameter of a packed tower column. It discusses how flooding velocity is determined using a generalized flooding correlation graph based on gas and liquid properties. The minimum tower diameter is sized to operate below flooding conditions, typically at 50-75% of the flooding velocity. A step-by-step process is then provided to calculate the flooding velocity, cross-sectional area, and final diameter of the packed tower using equations that incorporate parameters like mass flow rates, densities, viscosities and packing material properties.

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32 views11 pages

Unit - 1 (Lec-2)

This document outlines the procedure for determining the diameter of a packed tower column. It discusses how flooding velocity is determined using a generalized flooding correlation graph based on gas and liquid properties. The minimum tower diameter is sized to operate below flooding conditions, typically at 50-75% of the flooding velocity. A step-by-step process is then provided to calculate the flooding velocity, cross-sectional area, and final diameter of the packed tower using equations that incorporate parameters like mass flow rates, densities, viscosities and packing material properties.

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WALLELGN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
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3.3.

Design Procedures

2. Determining sizing a Packed Tower


a. Determining Packed Tower Diameter
 Packed column size is highly affecting by the gas velocity
 Decreasing the diameter of the column, the gas flow rate through the column will
increase.
 The gas-to-liquid ratio is termed the loading point.
 Loading point is a point where liquid hold up starts to void spaces between the
packing
 The pressure drop of the column begins to increase and the degree of mixing
between the phases decreases.
 A further increase in gas velocity will cause the liquid to completely fill the void
spaces in the packing.
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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

 The liquid forms a layer over the top of the packing and no more liquid can
flow down through the tower.

 The pressure drop increases and mixing between the phases is minimal.

 This condition is referred to as flooding, and the gas velocity at which it


occurs is the flooding velocity.

FLOODING

Occur in countercurrent flow towers:

 Inlet gas flow rate is so high

 It protect with the downward flow of the solvent liquid.

 Cause an upward flow of the liquid through the tower


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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

 Large-diameter tower would eliminate this problem. However, as the


diameter increases, the cost of the tower increases.

 Normal practice is to size a packed column diameter to operate at a certain


percent of the flooding velocity

 Most absorbers are designed to operate at no more than 50 to 75% of


maximum gas velocity that can cause flooding

Factors that may lead to flooding:

1. high inlet gas flow rates

2. low liquid circulation rates

3. small diameter towers

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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

 It is assumed that, by operating 50 to 75% of the gas velocity will also be


below the loading point.

 A common and relatively simple procedure for estimating flooding velocity


(thus, setting a minimum column diameter) is to use a generalized flooding
and pressure drop correlation.

 The flooding and pressure drop relationship for a packed tower is in the
Sherwood correlation, shown in Figure 3.6 (Calvert et al. 1972).

 In Figure 3.6, the terms and units must be used as presented since the
relationships are based on empirical data.

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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

F.g 3.6 . Generalized flooding and pressure drop correlation


Source: Calvert et al. 1972.
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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

 The “X” axis (or abscissa) is a function of the physical


properties of the gas and liquid streams.
 The “Y” axis (ordinate), is also a function of the gas and liquid properties as

well as the packing material utilized.

 The graph is used to predict what conditions will cause flooding to occur.

 Flooding is an unacceptable operating condition, this sets a minimum tower

diameter for a given set of gas/liquid conditions.

 Knowing minimum unacceptable diameter, a larger, operating diameter can

be specified.
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The procedure to determine the tower diameter

1. Calculate the value of the abscissa (X-axis)

…………………………………………………………………………………………….16

Where: L and G = mass flow rates


ρg = density of the gas stream
ρl = density of the absorbing liquid

2. The Ordinate value (Y axis) in the graph is expressed as:


.
𝐺′2 Fφµl 02
ε =Y= ………………………………………………17
ρ𝑔ρ𝑙𝑔𝑐

Where: G' = mass flow rate of gas per unit cross-sectional area of column,
g/s•m2
ρg = density of the gas stream, kg/m3

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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

ρl = density of the absorbing liquid, kg/m3


gc = gravitational constant, 9.82 m/s2
F = packing factor given in Table 3.1 for different types of packing
φ = ratio of specific gravity of the scrubbing liquid to that of water
µl = viscosity of liquid

4. Rearrange the equation of the ordinate and solve for G'.

……………………………………………………………………………………….17

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Determining Packed Tower Diameter

5. Calculate G' at operating conditions. G' at operating conditions is a


fraction of G' at flooding conditions.

………………………………………………………………………………………18

Where: f = the percent of flooding velocity, usually 50 to 75%

6. Calculate the cross-sectional area of column A from Equation 19.


………………………………………………………………………………………………….19

7. Calculate the diameter of the column from Equation 20


…………………………………………………………………………………………....20

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Table 3.1 packing material

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Table 3.1 packing material….

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