Discussions of Mass Transfer Performance and Empirical Correlations for VOCs Absorbed by Triethylene Glycol Solution

Abstract

To improve indoor air quality, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) absorbed by absorbent solution were tested in a packed-bed absorber. On the basis of the principle that organics dissolve into organic solution easily, the triethylene glycol (TEG) solution was used as the working solution to discuss mass transfer performance of VOCs absorbed by the TEG solution in this study. Toluene, methanol, ethyl ether, and methyl ethyl ketone were absorbed by the TEG solution, and the mass transfer coefficients were calculated. The flow rates of liquid and gas were controlled in the ranges 1.24−1.43 kg/min and 2.9−2.97 kg/min. According to the volatile properties of VOCs and the environmental standard, the concentrations of toluene, methanol, ethyl ether, and methyl ethyl ketone were operated in the ranges 62−110, 210−369, 58−155, and 105−205 ppm, respectively. The concentrations of the TEG solutions were controlled to between 91.5 and 96.5 wt %. After experimental runs, effects of operating variables on mass transfer ...