1. What is Gas Flowrate on Solute Free Basis?

Definition: This calculator determines the flowrate of carrier gas excluding the solute component based on inlet conditions and mole fraction.

Purpose: It helps chemical engineers and process designers calculate the actual flow of carrier gas in absorption and separation processes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( G_s \) — Gas flowrate on solute free basis (mol/s)
• \( G_{N+1} \) — Inlet gas flowrate (mol/s)
• \( y_{N+1} \) — Mole fraction of solute in inlet gas stream

Explanation: The total inlet flowrate is multiplied by (1 - mole fraction) to exclude the solute component from the flow calculation.

3. Importance of Solute Free Flowrate Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of solute-free gas flow is crucial for designing absorption columns, calculating mass transfer rates, and determining equipment sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total inlet gas flowrate in mol/s and the mole fraction of solute (between 0 and 1). The default mole fraction is 0.3.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why calculate solute-free flowrate?
A: It represents the actual carrier gas flow available for mass transfer, excluding the solute that will be absorbed.

Q2: What's a typical mole fraction range?
A: In industrial applications, mole fractions typically range from 0.05 to 0.4 depending on the process.

Q3: Can this be used for liquid streams?
A: The same principle applies to liquid streams, though the calculation would use liquid flowrate and mole fraction.

Q4: How does this relate to absorption efficiency?
A: The solute-free flowrate helps determine the gas-to-liquid ratio which affects absorption efficiency.

Q5: What if my solute mole fraction is very small?
A: For very dilute streams (yN+1 < 0.05), the difference between total and solute-free flowrate becomes negligible.