You have a stream of air containing methanol at 5% by volume. The stream is flowing at 2000 actual ft^3/min at 1 atm pressure and 110 F. The regulations require94% removal of the methanol, and you decide to try a water absorption column, using pure water as the absorbing liquid. the tower will be packed with i-inch ceramic Berl saddles. Equilibruim data for the water-methanol system at 95% F (the temperature at which the tower will operate) are given below
x, mol fraction y, mol fraction
____________ _________________
.020 .021
.030 .033
.040 .045
.050 .056
.060 .068
A) Neatly sketch a material balance diagam of the tower
B) Calculate the concentration of methanol in the exit gases (ppm, dry basis)
C) Plot an equilibrium curve, than draw the minimum slope operating line on the equilibrium diagram, and then calculate a reasonable water inflow to accomplish the absorption required.
D) Calculate the concentration of methanol in the water being discharged from the tower (in mole fraction)
E) Estimate the diameter of the tower, based on bottom operating conditions. Assume that the density and viscosity of the bottom liquid are the same as tose for pure water. Make other appropriate assumptions as needed.
Assume actual water flow rate is 50% more than the minimum, and the system is operated at 50% of flooding conditions.