This simulation shows the implementation of mass balance in a single-stage "stripping" or "absorption" unit. Type in the boxes the correct values for the two unknowns. The unknowns are shown in green in the graphic. Then check "solution" to see the correct answers. Click "new problem" for a new set of conditions with different unknowns and/or different values for the unknowns.
Assuming that the impurity concentration is low so that the liquid and vapor flow rates are constant, a mass balance on a single-stage absorption or a stripping unit is given by
x0 L + y2 V = x1 L + y1 V,
where x0 is the mole ratio of the impurity flow rate in the liquid feed to the total liquid flow rate (ppm), y2 is the mole ratio of the impurity flow rate in the vapor feed to the vapor flow rate (ppm), x1 is the mole ratio of the impurity flow rate in the exiting liquid stream to the liquid flow rate (ppm), y1 is the mole ratio of the impurity flow rate in the exiting vapor stream to the vapor flow rate (ppm), L is the liquid flow rate (Mmol/h) and V is the vapor flow rate (Mmol/h).
The exiting streams are assumed to be in equilibrium, and since the impurity concentrations are low, Henry's law is used:
y1 = m x1,
where m is a constant m = H/P, H is Henry's constant (bar) and P is pressure (bar).
This simulation was created in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder for LearnChemE.com by John L. Falconer using Claude AI. It is a JavaScript/HTML5 implementation of a Mathematica simulation by Rachael L. Baumann. It was prepared with financial support from the National Science Foundation (DUE 2336987 and 2336988) in collaboration with Washington State University. Address any questions or comments to LearnChemE@gmail.com.