The physical absorption of gas by water in a tower packed with Raschig rings has been investigated. The liquid-side mass transfer coefficient which was separated by dividing the capacity coefficient by the wetted surface area is discussed from the standpoints of the two-film and penetration theories. A new and simpler dimensionless group is presented which correlates about 90% of the data reported, including the author's own, within an accuracy of f20%.The relation of the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient t o parked-tower performance and physical properties of the system is iniportant from the standpoint of packed-tower designs and interesting from the viewpoint of the mechanism of mass transfer. I n this paper physical gas absorption by water in a tower packed with Raschig rings is described, and kL is discussed. The relation of kL, which covers about 90% of the data reported, including the authors', within a 207, accuracy, was obtained.
EXPERIMENTS AND RESULTSThe absorption of pure carbon dioxide by water was studied. T o ascertain the exponent of the Schmidt number, the absorption of pure hydrogen was also studied. Because the degree of purity of the gas was more than 99%, the gas-side resistance was regarded as negligible in comparison with the liquid-side resistance. The mass velocity of the liquid was ascertained by the measurement of the quantity of water flowing from the tower bottom per unit time. The termperatures at the top and bottom of the tower were almost the same and were maintained a t 25 f 1°C.T o measure the end effect samples were taken from the lower tower end and the funnel which was placed immediately below the support plate of the packing.For carbon dioxide a sample of 50 cc. was introduced into 0.2N barium hydroxide solution and then back titrated with 0.1N hydrogen chloride solution. The end effect for 6-, &, and 10-mm. Raschig rings was equivalent to a packing height of 3.6, 3.5, and 3.1 cm. respectively. Water Fig. 1 . Schematic diagram of the absorption system.For hydrogen a sample of 500 cc. was withdrawn by Swanson and Hulett's method (21) and analyzed by the explosion method.As stated above, the gas used was of more than 99% purity, and therefore the gas-side resistance could be assumed to be negligible. The liquid-side capacity coefficient can consequently be computed fromThe saturated concentration C, at 25°C. was taken from the International Critical Tables*.The results for carbon dioxide are shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4. I n these cases it is known by previous reports ( 1 1,16,24) that the gas velocity has no relation to the liquid-side capacity Coefficient under its loading point, and here it was about 50 -150 kg./(sq. m.)(hr.) [I1 -31 lb./ (sq. ft.)(hr.)].To test the dumped packing method the tower was repacked with 6-mm. Raschig ring, and the capacity coefficient was measured. The reproducibility was good (Figure 2).The capacity coefficient increases linearly with the increase of liquid velocity; that is,where for 6-, 8 , and 10-mm. Raschig rings c' and rn" were almost t...