Absorption Factor Formula:
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Definition: The Absorption Factor is the ratio of slopes of operating line of absorption to the equilibrium line. If equilibrium line is a curve then the absorption factor is the average at the two ends.
Purpose: It helps chemical engineers determine the efficiency of an absorption process in mass transfer operations.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The liquid flowrate is divided by the product of equilibrium constant and gas flowrate to determine the absorption factor.
Details: The absorption factor is crucial in designing absorption columns and determining the number of theoretical stages required for a given separation.
Tips: Enter the liquid flowrate in mol/s, equilibrium constant (default 1.5), and gas flowrate in mol/s (default 9). All values must be > 0.
Q1: What does the absorption factor indicate?
A: Values greater than 1 indicate efficient absorption, while values less than 1 suggest poor absorption efficiency.
Q2: What's a typical equilibrium constant value?
A: This varies widely depending on the system, but common values range from 0.5 to 2.5 for many gas-liquid systems.
Q3: Why use solute-free basis flowrates?
A: Using solute-free basis simplifies calculations as it focuses on the carrier streams rather than the solute concentration.
Q4: How does absorption factor relate to column design?
A: Higher absorption factors typically mean fewer theoretical stages are needed, but may require more liquid flow.
Q5: What if my system has curved equilibrium?
A: For curved equilibrium lines, calculate absorption factors at both ends of the operating line and use the geometric mean.