Nonisothermal case: temperature profile in the column

Prof. Dr. Marco Mazzotti - Institut fr Verfahrenstechnik

The Absorption
Scheme
This is a simple diagram showing the
notation we will use later.

The liquid enters the column at its

top flowing by gravity trough the
column. The gas enters at the
bottom. With this configuration, work
is not required for the flow transport.
The heat of absorption of solute
(gas) increases the temperature of
the solution. When the gas (G)
enters the column at about 10 to
20C under the liquid temperature
going out (L), and the liquid is
volatile, evaporation will cool down
the liquid at the bottom of the
column. This means that the
temperature profile in the column will
present a maximum near its bottom.

You may print this out to have in

mind the notation.
 h L
1
This diagram represents the
temperature of the Liquid across the
column.

Absorption Column
When the heat of absorption is not
significant and the effect of liquid
evaporation can be neglected, the
adiabatic absorption column has a
constant temperature along the
height.

Liquid temperature
2 T
T2 = T1
 h L
1
Along the column, the absorption of
gas increases the temperature. Gas
and liquid temperatures are similar at
the bottom, and the gas entering the
column is already saturated. The

Absorption Column
changes in temperature are only due
to the heat of absorption of solute
gas.

This is why temperature only

increases along the column.

Liquid temperature
2 T
T2 T1
 h L
1
Along the column, the absorption of
gas increases the temperature. The
gas enters the column at a lower
temperature than the liquid and thus,
at the bottom the evaporation of

Absorption Column
liquid is important.

This is why the temperature

decreases at the bottom.

Liquid temperature
2 T
T2 T1 Tmax