Packed towers, separations absorption example

This chapter analyzes gas absorption, an important separation process in chemical manufacture and pollution control. Gas absorption commonly is effected in packed towers filled with inert packing that gives a large interfacial area between gas and liquid. The gas rises through the tower the liquid trickles countercurrently downward. The liquid is often chemically reactive, binding the solutes being absorbed. For example, acid gases like H2S are absorbed into aqueous solutions of amines. However, the analysis in this chapter implies nonreactive liquids reactive liquids are discussed in Chapter 17. 

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