Scribd
Upload
5 views2 pages

Intro and Working Theory Script

The presentation discusses an experiment on the absorption and desorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) using a packed column setup, focusing on quantifying CO₂ absorption in water and analyzing concentration changes. The theoretical background is based on mass transfer concepts, particularly film theory, and involves measuring CO₂ absorption through titration with sodium hydroxide. Understanding these processes is crucial for optimizing gas separation operations and has applications in industries like carbon capture and wastewater treatment.

Uploaded by

chemmmsburger
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views2 pages

Intro and Working Theory Script

The presentation discusses an experiment on the absorption and desorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) using a packed column setup, focusing on quantifying CO₂ absorption in water and analyzing concentration changes. The theoretical background is based on mass transfer concepts, particularly film theory, and involves measuring CO₂ absorption through titration with sodium hydroxide. Understanding these processes is crucial for optimizing gas separation operations and has applications in industries like carbon capture and wastewater treatment.

Uploaded by

chemmmsburger
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assalamualaikum and good morning everyone,

Today, I'll be presenting the introduction and working theory part of our group
presentation on experiment 3&4: investigation on the absorption and desorption of
carbon dioxide (CO₂) using a packed column setup.

And In our two part experiment on absorption and desorption the primary objectives
experiment were:

1. To quantify the rate at which CO₂ is absorbed into water within a packed tower.
2. To analyze the CO₂ concentration before and after the absorption and desorption
processes over defined time intervals.

The theoretical background for this experiment is based on mass transfer concepts,
specifically the film theory, which describes how gas transfer occurs across a thin
liquid film due to concentration gradients. When CO₂ gas is introduced into the
water within a counter-current packed column, it dissolves, forming carbonic acid
according to the chemical equation:

This carbonic acid formation lowers the solution's pH, making it acidic, and allows us
to quantify the amount of CO₂ absorbed via titration. Using sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) as a titrant and phenolphthalein as an indicator, the amount of CO₂ absorbed
can be measured, as more CO₂ absorption requires more NaOH for neutralization.

For the desorption part, the reverse process takes place, where absorbed CO₂ is
released by heating and stripping it out of solution, leveraging Henry’s law, which
describes the solubility behavior of gases in liquids.

Understanding both absorption and desorption processes is essential because it


determines the efficiency of gas separation operations, influences environmental
control such as carbon capture, and affects many industrial processes. Knowledge of
these concepts enables optimization of absorption and desorption rates, enhancing
process control and efficiency.

Applications of these principles are widespread, particularly in industries such as


carbon capture technologies, wastewater treatment, and beverage carbonation.
Working theory:

In our experimental setup, CO₂ gas is introduced into a water-filled packed column
where it dissolves primarily due to physical interactions. According to the film theory,
a thin stagnant film of liquid at the gas-liquid interface significantly influences the
rate of mass transfer. The concentration gradient across this film initially drives rapid
absorption of CO₂. As the concentration of CO₂ in water increases and approaches
equilibrium, this gradient decreases, causing the absorption rate to slow
progressively.

Additionally, minor chemical interactions do occur, as indicated by the reversible


formation of carbonic acid:

During the desorption phase, the absorbed CO₂ is removed by increasing temperature,
decreasing solubility in accordance with Henry's Law, which states that gas solubility in a liquid
decreases as temperature rises. This process efficiently releases CO₂ back into the gas phase,
further influenced by the decreased partial pressure of CO₂ in the gas stream, enhancing the
driving force for desorption.

You might also like