Analysis of a bubble absorber working with R22 and five organic absorbents

A model of the absorption process in a vertical tubular bubble absorber working with R22-DMF, R22-DMA, R22-DMETEG, R22-DMEDEG and R22-NMP is developed using finite element method employing Galerkin's technique. The objective of this paper is to study the influence of the liquid and gas properties on the volumetric mass transfer coefficient. Analysis have also been done using ammonia-water as working fluid, the results obtained are compared with those in the literature and the agreement is found to be good. A correlation for mass transfer coefficient is proposed as a function of Reynolds number, Schmidt number and length to diameter ratio. The correlation can be used either in estimating the mass transfer rates or in fixing up any of the major design parameters namely length required for complete absorption and diameter.