United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S7-83-053  Feb. 1984
Project Summary
Coal  Gasification/Gas Cleanup
Test  Facility: Volume IV. A
Mathematical  Model of the
Packed  Column  Acid  Gas
Absorber

R. M. Kelly, R. W. Rousseau, and J. K. Ferrell
  The report describes a mathematical
 model for adiabatic operation  of a
 packed-column absorber designed to
 remove acid gases from coal gasification
 crude product gas. It also gives results
 of experiments with a small pilot-scale
 coal gasification/gas cleaning facility
 designed to test the model. The model
 predictions compared well with the
 actual absorber liquid temperature pro-
 file and outlet gas composition. The
 model is useful for the evaluation of the
 effect of changes in process variables
 on absorber column performance and
 (hence) for column design.
  This Project Summary was developed
 by EPA's Industrial Environmental
 Research Laboratory, Research Triangle
 Park, NC, to announce key findings of
 the research project  that is  fully
 documented in a separate report of the
 same title (see Project Report ordering
 information at back).

 Introduction
  As a part of a continuing research
 program on the environmental aspects of
 fuel conversion, the U.S.  Environmental
 Protection Agency (EPA) has sponsored a
 research project on coal  gasification at
 North Carolina  State University. The
 facility used for this research is a  small
 coal gasification/gas cleaning pilot plant.
 The overall objective of the project is to
 characterize the gaseous and condensed
 phase emissions from the gasification/
 gas cleaning process, and to determine
how emission rates of various pollutants
depend on adjustable process parameters.
  The plant, described in detail in Volume
I  of this report series, consists of a
fluidized bed reactor; a cyclone and
venturi scrubber for particulates, con-
densables,  and solubles removal; and
absorption and stripping columns for acid
gas removal and solvent regeneration.
The plant has a nominal capacity of 50
IbVhr  of coal feed for steady state
operation. A schematic diagram of the
gasifier,  the acid gas  removal system
(AGRS), and other major components is
shown in Figure 1.
  In  an  initial series  of runs on the
gasifier, a pretreated Western Kentucky
No. 11 coal was gasified with steam and
oxygen. The results of this work  and a
detailed listing of the project objectives
are given in Volume II and were presented
at the EPA Symposium on Environmental
Aspects of Fuel Conversion Technology
V, in St. Louis MO,  September  1980.
  Volume III gave a detailed discussion of
a series of runs made with a New Mexico
subbituminous coal. Part of Volume III
summarized a mathematical model of the
operation of the packed tower absorber of
the acid gas removal system. This model
may be used to estimate the height of
packing required to remove a specified
component from a gas stream or recover
a specified component for a column with
 ) Readers more familiar with metric units may use
  the conversion factors at the end of this Summary.

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 /Vz Purge

      A
Coal
Feed
Hopper
                                         Filter
                                   F    Venturi
                                 	4  (Scrubber
Nz Purge^     \

       Gasifier
 2 Purge
                       'Char
                    Receiver
                 Nz Purge
                     Steam
        Plant Water •
                                             Sour-Gas
                                           Compressor
                                        Mist
                                        Eliminator
                                          Heat
                                          Exchanger


                                          PCS Tank
    ^®
   f>
                                                                                                          Acid'Gas
                                                                                        Flash Tank
•r i
; r — -t
T \
Heater
i i — .
i
/V2 	 H
X
X
X
                                                                                                          Stripper
                                            Drain
                              Circulation
                              Pump
                                                                                                	^
                                                                                       Solvent Pump


                                                                                S = Sample Port
Figure 1.   Pilot plant facility.

a  fixed packing height. Furthermore,
parametric studies involving a variety of
process variables can be performed
which may lead to an improved design
and/or operation.
  This report gives a detailed description
of the absorber model and its develop-
ment, and compares model-based predic-
tions with experimental data from the
pilot plant.


Packed Absorption  Column
Model
  Several  assumptions typically have
been made in  developing a physical
model for non-isothermal absorption in a
packed tower. Since axial dispersion is
usually neglected, fluids are assumed to
move through the column in  plug flow.
This is probably valid for small diameter
columns with low to moderate  liquid flow
rates. Another assumption often made is
that the column approaches  adiabatic
operation; most industrial columns have
been shown to operate nearly adiabati-
cally. Departures from adiabatic operation,
due to either heat losses or planned heat
removal, can be included in the model on
a case-by-case basis.
                                          Figure 2 is a schematic of a packed
                                        tower for which the following differential
                                        material and energy balances may be
                                        written:
                                               d L/3z - d G/3z = d b/3 t   (1 )*
                                                3 (LHL)/9z - 3 (GHe)/3z
                                                    - He, = (bHb)/3t         (2)
                                        The resulting system of coupled, partial
                                        differential equations is very difficult to
                                        solve,  and several approaches are
                                        possible. At steady state. Equations 1 and
                                        2 become ordinary differential equations
                                        and, if  adiabatic operation is assumed,
                                        the following equations may  be written:
                                                   dL,dz - dG/dz = 0       (3)

                                                d(LHL)/dz - d(GHG)dz  = 0     (4)
                                        The steady state assumption leads to a
                                        two point boundary value problem with
                                        neither boundary condition  completely
                                        specified. One  solution  involves an
                                        iterative calculation in which the condi-
                                        tions at one  end of the column  are
                                        assumed and an incremental calculation
                                        is initiated at the other end. When  the
                                        calculation reaches the end of the column
                                        where the initial assumptions were
                                         "(Nomenclature of equation elements is defined at
                                           the end of this Summary.
made, calculated and assumed values are
compared. If agreement between these
values is unsatisfactory, an  iterative
procedure must  be used to adjust
assumed values. Algorithms have been
suggested  for  both single-solute and
multicomponent systems, although ex-
perimental verification of only the former
has been reported.
  Aside from the assumptions that the
column is operating adiabatically and the
axial dispersion is negligible, the single-
solute calculational procedure is essen-
tially rigorous.  While more  simplifying
assumptions could be made (e.g., ignoring
the resistance of one phase to mass and
heat transfer), they could lead to serious
error in the calculation. Certain situations
may allow a less rigorous approach, but it
is often difficult to determine this without
first performing a more detailed calcula-
tion.

Description of  Computer
Programs
  Two separate but similar computer
programs  were  used  in this study.
SIMPAK was limited to the simple case of
a single transferring solute  in an inert,
insoluble carrier gas  and a volatile

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   /.2=  I /.JZ

       J=1
   To,
   G7=  I  Gj,
                                                          /J2

                                                          7-Q2
                                                         G2=
                                                         * = O for Adiabatic
                                                                Case
                                                              n
                                                          L1= I /.j,
                                                             J=1
Figure 2.   Mutt/component gas absorption/stripping in an adiabatic packed column.
solvent, while MCOMP relaxed these
restrictions.
  SIMPAK receives as input the condition
and composition of the entering gas and
liquid streams and the specified removal
efficiency of the key component. The key
component can be chosen from Table 1, a
list of 13  compounds.  Methanol, the
liquid used  in this  study,  must  be
designated as the  solvent. The  inert
carrier gas can also be any compound in
Table 1, except methanol. In general, the
key component should  be appreciably
soluble in  methanol, while the  inert
component should be sparingly soluble in
methanol.
  For multicomponent absorption, the
computer  program MCOMP has  been
developed. The program is a modification
of the computer  code used by H.  M.
Feintuch. Although  any  number of
components can be handled, the 13 Table
1 components, designated as the  most
Table 1.    Components Included in Model
                                        important in coal gasification applications,
                                        have been made a part of the model.
                                          Because any of the 13 components can
                                        transfer in either direction, the problem
                                        becomes much more complicated than
                                        for single-solute absorption. Although
                                        the algorithm used in this case is similar
                                        to SIMPAK,  including multicomponent
                                        mass transfer requires certain modifica-
                                        tions.
                                          After input of all necessary information
                                        (see  Table 2), the calculation is initiated
                                        by assuming the outlet gas temperature
                                        and outlet gas flow rates for all compo-
                                        nents, except the key component, which
                                        has  been specified.  The outlet  gas
                                        temperature is assumed initially to be
                                        equal to the inlet liquid temperature.
                                        After the  flow rates of  all exiting gas
                                        stream components are assumed, mater-
                                        ial and  -energy balances are solved to
                                        determine the conditions of the exiting
                                        liquid stream.
                                          The calculation then  begins at the
                                        bottom of the column. The total amount of
                                        key component to be removed in the
                                        column is  divided  by the number of
                                        packing segments to be used. The height
                                        required to achieve the removal of the key
                                        component in each segment is determined
                                        by calculating the temperature  and
                                        concentration gradients.
         Physical, Transport, and
         Thermodynamic Properties
          The success of any modeling hinges on
         either the availability of accurate physical,
         transport, and thermodynamic property
         data or the ability to predict this informa-
         tion.  Surprisingly,  relatively little effort
         has been invested in expanding existing
         physical property data bases and improving
         predictive methods. This is especially true
         for mixture properties and at other than
         ambient conditions.  Both SIMPAK and
         MCOMP have subroutines that compute
         mixture physical property information as
         needed in the model calculation.
          Description  of the  performance of a
         packed column  requires both transfer
         coefficients and interfacial areas for mass
         and heat transfer. These quantities, along
         with  column hydraulics, will  determine
         packing effectiveness.
Butane
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Carbonyl Sulfide
Ethane	
Ethylene
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Sulfide
Methane
Methanol
Nitrogen
Propane
Propylene

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Table 2.   Information Input To MCOMP (Corresponding to Conditions of Integrated Run
AMI-53/GO-73J
Gas Mass Vel.
mol/hr/ft2
17.88
Pressure
Atmos.
17.890

Comp. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Gas Temp. In
°F
42.53
The Key
Comp.
1

Comp.
C02
HiS
COS
MEOH
H*
CO
/V2
CW4
C*H<
Cz//6
Catfe
CaHa
CtHio
Liq. Mass Vel.
mol/hr/ft2
127.46



Inlet Gas
Mol. Fract
0.2213
0.0017
0.0001
0.0000
0.3292
0.1724
0.2112
0.0529
0.0045
0.0065
0.0000
0.0000
0.0000
Liq. Temp. In
°F
-4.28
Fract Key
Comp. Absorbed
0.99900
Inlet Liquid
Mol. Fract
0.0000
0.0000
O.OOOO
1.0OOO
0.0000
0.0000
O.OOOO
0.0000
O.OOOO
O.OOOO
O.OOOO
O.OOOO
O.OOOO
Binary Gas Diffusivity Option:
Binary Liquid Diffusivity Option:

Mixture Liquid Diffusivity Option:

Transfer Coefficient Option:
Packing Height
Packing Type
Packing Increments
Interface Area Coor.
Maximum Iterations
Convergence Tolerance
Convergence Accel.	
Wilke-Lee Modification to Chapman-Enskog
Wilke-Chang Modification to Stokes-Einstein
Equation
Modification of Holmes et al. to Wilke-
Chang Equation
Onda et al.
7.10ft
1/4-in. ceramic Intalox saddles
10.0
 1.00
 0
 0.0000/00 0.0001000 0.0150000 0.0050OOO
 0.50000
  Although the literature contains a great
 deal of information about the performance
 of  certain packings  with particular
 systems, prediction of the performance of
 packings for which data are not available
 is difficult at best.
  Mass transfer  data,  obtained from a
 particular column and system, are often
 reported as the  product of the transfer
 coefficient and the  interfacial area
 because  it is often  difficult, if  not
 impossible, to separate the two quantities.
 However, using  data obtained on  one
 system to predict mass transfer rates in
 another often requires estimation of both
 quantities.
  While many investigators have studied
 the effectiveness of various packings, few
 have tried to generalize their results to
 other operating conditions and systems.
 For this  reason, design methods  for
 packed columns still rest to a large extent
 on  experience and vendor advice. Large
 safety factors have to be used to ensure
 that the column  meets design expecta-
 tions.
  To be able to  predict column perfor-
 mance accurately, mass transfer  coeffi-
   cients in the liquid and gas phases must
   be known.  If this information is  not
   available for  the system  being used,
   correlations based on experimental data
   can be used to predict them. The accuracy
   of the correlations depends  on  the
   accuracy of  the data  used in their
   development. This is especially important
   because experimental difficulties make
   the measurement of mass transfer
   coefficients susceptible to significant
   error.
      While it is relatively easy to determine
   the dry surface area  associated with a
   particular type and size of packing,  it is
   difficult to determine  the amount of the
   packing surface that is effectively used in
   an irrigated section of packing.  Several
   factors are important: the type of process
   for which the  column is used influences
   the amount of surface area; the surface
   tension of the liquid passing through the
   packing determir.es  the wetting char-
   acteristics;  and  the shape,  size,  and
   material used for packing.
      Because  there is no widely accepted
   correlation for  either mass transfer
   coefficients or interfacial area in packed
columns, four options have been included
in SIMPAK and MCOMP. The option to be
used in a particular computation is
chosen  in the program input.

Experimental Method
  Details of the gasifier and the entire
pilot plant are provided in Volume I. Data
required to compare experimental results
with model predictions were generated in
two ways: (1) syngas runs involved the
use of a gas-mixing manifold where gas
was fed from bottles and metered to the
absorber through a flow controller; and
(2) integrated runs involved the use of the
fluidized bed gasifier to manufacture gas
to be fed to the absorber. The procedures
used to operate the absorber and the rest
of the  acid gas removal system  were
similar  in both types of runs.
  After  steady state was achieved, gas
was sampled at the inlet to the absorber
(sour gas) and  at the outlets from the
absorber (sweet gas), the flash tank (flash
gas), and the stripper (acid gas). After this
first sampling  period, the system was
operated for  at  least  an hour before a
second  set of  samples was taken. After
the second set  of samples,  the system
was usually shut  down and  the run
concluded.
  After  conclusion of the run, collected
gas samples were analyzed and used to
check mass balances around the entire
AGR system, comprised of the absorber,
flash tank, and stripper.  Results from
these mass balances were then used to
assess the quality of the run. Deviations
of more than 10% for either the overall
balance or the individual  component
balances usually resulted in  disallowing
the results of the run. Some judgment
was used, however,  in analyzing the
results,  especially if the reason for the
discrepancy in the material balance was
known.  Also, for several components fed
to the system at concentrations less than
1 mole  %, mass balance deviations of
greater  than  10% may have resulted in
disallowing the  run results. As a rule,
however, the mass balance results from a
particular run met the given criteria. The
mass balance results for both the syngas
and integrated runs  are included  in
Volume II.

Discussion of Results

Comparison of Experimental
Data to SIMPAK

  In general, model predictions compared
well with experimental data. The experi-
mental  results from syngas Run AM-50,
typical of the better runs in this series, are

-------
illustrated in Figure 3. It shows excellent
agreement between the computed liquid
temperature profile and the experimental
data.
  Agreement between measured syngas
temperature profiles and calculated
values showed that the model satisfac-
torily predicted column performance. The
plots of the height of packing versus the
liquid temperature show that theshape of
the predicted curve closely follows the
experimental  data.  Uncertainties  in
temperature measurement probably
account for the  infrequent differences
between  predicted and experimental
results.
  Table 3 compares predicted and meas-
ured temperatures of liquid leaving the
absorber for completed runs satisfying
the  closure requirements on  mass
balances. That these compare closely
confirms the accuracy of the flow meter
calibrations, the sampling and analytical
techniques, and  the  validity of the
assumptions made in estimating the heat
of solution  of COz in  methanol from
Henry's Law constants.

Comparison of Experimental
Data to MCOMP
  Using the method established for
comparing results from SYNGAS runs to
the prediction from SIMPAK, results from
integrated  runs were compared to
predictions from MCOMP. For  each
integrated run,  the  computed liquid
temperature profile was compared to the
experimental data. The measured sweet
gas compositions were also compared to
predicted results. Results  are shown in
Table 4, which compares predicted and
measured outlet  liquid temperatures.
Agreement between these two sets of
values is an indication of the accuracy of
the adiabatic assumption  as well as a
check on sampling and  analytical  tech-
niques. In  all cases, the correlation of K.
Onda et at. was used to estimate the mass
transfer coefficient and interfacial area.
Because  MCOMP handles up to 13
components, considerably  more compu-
tation time was required than was the
case with  SIMPAK. For this reason, 10
packing increments were chosen to
economize on computer time.
  In  all the comparisons of model
predictions to experimental results, CQz
was the key component. While any of the
components in the model could be used
as the key component, the absorption of
CO2  could be followed  most easily
through the  column liquid temperature
profile. The other components  were
either sparingly  soluble in methanol or
           -30
                                                    JO
                                                          15
Figure 3.
Comparison of data from Syngas run AM-50 with model calculations using the
Onda correlation and 50 packing increments.
Table 3. Comparison of Predicted and Experimental Outlet Liquid
Run TL In. °F TL Out, °F
24
25
26
27
32
33
34
38
50
55
-33.69
-34.02
-33.30
-28.55
-31.79
-28.91
-29.33
-18.62
- 6.33
- 4.17
6.36
3.73
9.68
14.41
11.34
5.78
15.75
10.70
11.17
29.01
Temperatures (T\.)
Computed TL Out, °F
6.91
1.53
9.33
	
9.34
6.78
17.11
7.69
12.03
32.18
Table 4.   Comparison of Predicted and Experimental Outlet Liquid Temperatures (TL) For
Integrated Runs
AGRS
Run No.
30
35
36
37
43
44
45
47
52
53
57
59
60
Gasifier
Run No.
56
59
60
61
68B
69
70
71B
72
73
76
78
79
Mass
Balance
100.0
102.4
104.0
103.3
103.8
102.3
103.0
104.8
101.4
103.1
99.2
101.8
95.5
TLln
°F
-28.27
-34.65
-27.75
-22.20
-34.07
0.84
-34.07
-33.07
-30.70
- 4.28
-32.70
- 2.92
-16.00
TLOut
°F
4.83
0.72
-1.72
7.19
-4.53
24.16
-19.23
-17.13
-15.11
8.72
-2.45
9.50
5.98
Computed
TL Out, °F
5.47
3.11
-0.84
8.22
-2.82
a
-19.74
-17.35
-14.81
10.13
a
9.29
2.44
'Runs failed to converge.

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                                       •c
                                       .§!
                                          1.0
 present in such small quantities that their
 absorption did not affect the measured
 temperature profile.                         3 0
  A series of integrated runs were made
 using gas produced from a devolatilized
,char to feed the absorber. The model
 predictions of MCOMP compared well
 with the actual liquid temperature profile
 and outlet gas composition for all runs. In    ^
 these runs, the transfer of eight com-    £
 pounds (including the solvent) was    .c1 2'°
 considered. The difference between the    "S
 actual and predicted H2S and COS outlet
 gas concentrations was attributed to the
 presence of both  compounds  in  the
 recirculated methanol fed to the absorber.
 This resulted from the inefficient stripping
 of  these compounds  from the rich
 methanol  and led to a reduced driving
 force at the top of the absorber. Figure 4
 uses data from  run AMI-30/GO-56 to
 illustrate the comparison of model predic-
 tions with data from these runs.
  Another series of runs were made in
 the early 1980s,  using  a  feed gas
 generated by the gasification of a New
 Mexico subbituminous coal. Gases
 produced  from gasification of this coal
 were characterized by fairly low amounts
 of H2S and COS, and relatively high levels
 of both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocar-
 bons. Only compounds  that could be
 analyzed with some accuracy and that
 were important in mass balance calcula-
 tions were included in  the computer       7.5
 model runs. An example of the comparison
 of model predictions to data obtained in
 these runs is given in Figure 5 for Run
 AMI-60/GO-79.
  In general, the computer prediction
 compared well  with the experimental
 data. Comparisons of predicted and
 experimental outlet  liquid temperatures,
 and indications of the  closure of mass    5
 balances for all integrated runs are given    £
 in Table 4.                              -5
  Figures 6 and 7 show the variation in    £
 composition of the gases  as they move    S?
 through the  absorber for AMI-53. Two    a:
 graphs  are presented because of the    *>o.5
 range of compositions encountered; note
 that the acid gases H;>S, COS, and C02 are
 readily absorbed, but that the product
 gases CO,  H2,  and CH4  increase in
 concentration through  the  column,
 mainly due to the concentrating effect of
 removing  large amounts of the acid
 gases.
Minimum Liquid/Gas Ratio
  Specification of the liquid flow rate is
required for absorber design. The mini-    Figure 5.
mum liquid/gas  ratio, evaluated  from

CO2
H2S
COS
MEOH
H2
CO
Nz
CH^
C2H4
C2He

Inlet
24.600
0.910
0.042
— -
33.170
21.060
18.500
1.640
	
—

Outlet
1.460
0.048
0.003
trace
43.190
28.480
24.890
1.950
^~—
— —

Predicted
Outlet
1.378
0.002
trace
0.013
44.459
27.698
24.345
2.085
	
—

                                                                                     Concentrations in Mole Percent
                                                                               O
-35
      -30   -25
                                                                      -20
                                                                             -15
                                                                                    -10
                                                                                           -5
                                                                                                                w
                                        Figure 4.    Comparison of data from integrated run AM-30/GO-56 with model calculations
                                                   using the Onda correlation and 10 packing increments.
                                         :i.o
Inlet
CO2
HtS
COS
MEOH
H2
CO
A/2
CH,
C2/Y4
CtHi
21.740
0.214
0.008
	
32.690
17.300
20.770
6.630
0.417
0.465
Outlet
trace
0.026
0.002
trace
43.010
21.900
27.620
7.440
0.015
0.023
Predicted
Outlet
0.029
trace
trace
O.042
42.264
22.133
26.840
8.252
0.205
0.235
                                                                                      Concentrations in Mole Percent
Comparison of data from integrated run AMI-60/GO-79 with model calculations
using the Onda correlation and 10 packing increments.

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    2.0
.1
     7.0
                        10               20
                                 Mole Percent in Gas Phase
                                             30
                      40
 Figure 6.
Calculated gas composition profile for conditions corresponding to integrated run
AMI-53/GO-73.
 physical property data, provides a useful
 limit in setting design flow rates.
  SIMPAK was modified to estimate the
 minimum liquid rate for all  syngas and
 integrated runs made for this study. The
 subroutine MINLG, included in SIMPAK,
 systematically  brackets the minimum
 liquid rate until it can be determined to
 within 0.5 Ib moles/hr/ft2.
 Comparison of Transfer
 Coefficient Correlations
  Correlations of K. Onda et al. were used
 to estimate mass transfer  coefficients
 and interfacial area in the computer runs
 comparing model predictions to experi-
 mental results.  The  correlations were
 chosen because  they were developed
 with data obtained for small packing sizes
 and  for cases where organic liquids,
 including  methanol, were used. Earlier
 results showed that these correlations
 yielded excellent  agreement between
 predicted and experimental data.
  The following  points can be made
 concerning other correlations of transfer
 coefficients that were tested in this study.
 The approach taken by W. R. Bollesand J.
 R. Fair seems to be the most sound: it
 correlates the product  of  the  transfer
 coefficient  and the interfacial area.
 However,  Bolles and Fair suggested that
 the scatter in the data used to develop the
 correlation requires a safety factor of
 1.70. They also suggested using a safety
 'actor of 2.23 with the Onda correlation.
                               Results of this study indicate significant
                             differences  between the  results  of
                             various researchers  in developing  gen-
                             eralized correlations for mass transfer in
                             packed columns. This is partly the result
                             of the scatter in the data used to develop
                             these correlations. While Fair's approach
                                 I
                             .2.0-
                            I
                            N'
                               7.0-
                                     COSxIO
                                                                      avoids  the problem  of  correlating the
                                                                      interfacial area and transfer coefficient
                                                                      separately, an effective generalized correl-
                                                                      ation for each quantity would be more
                                                                      desirable so that these results can be
                                                                      extended to a wider variety of conditions.
                                                                      At this point, it appears that additional
                                                                      experimental data and better methods of
                                                                      correlation would improve design proced-
                                                                      ures for packed columns.
Recommentations for
Application of Model
  The mathematical model of the packed
absorber described here has been used to
analyze the results of the experimental
runs made for this study. Other objectives
in developing this model included its use
to extend  the  experimental  results  to
situations not attainable in  pilot plant
operation.  Future work will  extend the
packed absorber  model to stripper
operation  and culminate in the develop-
ment of a simulation package to describe
the performance of the entire system.
  A valuable use of a computer model is
to evaluate the effect of changes  in
process variables on  the final column
design. This may  require  a  complex
optimization procedure or may be fairly
simple if only one variable is involved. In
either case, the computer model becomes
the tool for the evaluation.
                                                                        C2//6
                                       7000  2000  3000  4000   5000   6000   7000

                                                          Gas Composition (PPM-MolesJ
                                                8000  9000  10000
                            Figure 7.
Calculated gas composition profile for conditions corresponding to integrated run
AMI-53/GO-73.

-------
        s
5    3
                                                        O Used in Experimental Run
                                                       AM-50
                             AM-32
            40    SO     60    70    80     90    100   no    120   130   140

                                    L. Ib moles/hr ft*
   Figure 8.   Effect of Solvent Flow Rate on Packing Requirements for conditions corresponding
              to Syngass runs AM-32 and AM-50.
      R. Kelly, R. Rousseau, and J. Ferrell are with North Carolina State University,
        Raleigh, NC 27650.
      N. Dean Smith is the EPA Project Officer (see below}.
      The  complete report,  entitled "Coal Gasification/Gas  Cleanup Test Facility:
        Volume IV. A Mathematical Model of the Packed Column Acid Gas Absorber,"
        (Order No. PB 84-113 083; Cost: $ 17.50, subject to change) will be available
        only from:
              National Technical Information Service
              5285 Port Royal Road
              Springfield. VA 22161
              Telephone: 703-487-4650
      The EPA Project Officer can be^contacted at:
              Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
              U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
              Research Triangle Park. NC 27711
                                                   Syngas Runs AM-32 and AM-50 were
                                                 used as  base  cases for SIMPAK to
                                                 illustrate the use of the models developed
                                                 here in  a parametric study. Figure 8
                                                 shows the application of these models to
                                                 examine the effect of liquid flow rate on
                                                 required  packing height.  This  kind of
                                                 analysis can be performed with any of the
                                                 specified operating variables in the
                                                 process. That  AM-50 was made at a
                                                 higher inlet liquid temperature is partly
                                                 responsible  for the greater sensitivity of
                                                 the packing height to the liquid flow rate.
                                                 The solubility of CO2 in methanol at the
                                                 inlet liquid temperature of AM-50 is
                                                 much less than for AM-32.

                                                 Nomenclature
                                                 b       total liquid holdup in column
                                                 b,      holdup of j in liquid
                                                 G      total gas molar flow rate
                                                 G,     gas flow rate of j
                                                 Hb     specific enthalpy of liquid holdup
                                                 Hex     enthalpy loss to surroundings
                                                 HG     specific enthalpy of gas
                                                 HL     specific enthalpy of liquid
                                                 j       chemical species j
                                                 L       total liquid molar flow rate
                                                 L|      liquid flow rate of j
                                                 t       time
                                                 TL     liquid temperature
                                                 x,      mole fraction of j in liquid
                                                 y,      mole fraction of j in gas
                                                 z       height of packing

                                                Conversion Factors
                                                   Readers more familiar  with  metric
                                                units may use  the following factors to
                                                convert to metric equivalents:
                                                Non-metric       Times       Yields metric
                                                °F
                                                ft
                                                ft2
                                                in.
                                                Ib.
                                                                                              5/9(°F-32)
                                                                                                30.48
                                                                                                0.09
                                                                                                2.54
                                                                                                0.45
°C
cm
m2
cm
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
          CHICAGO  IL  60604
                                                                                     U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984.759-102/84

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