Removal of methanol and 1-butanol from binary mixtures by absorption in rotating packed beds with blade packings

Abstract

This work discusses the absorption performance of a rotating packed bed (RPB) with blade packings in removing methanol and 1-butanol from binary mixtures. The effects of rotational speed, gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and inlet methanol and 1-butanol concentrations on the removal efficiencies ( E) and the absorption rates ( N) were explored. The results reveal that the E values of methanol and 1-butanol exceeded 90% under appropriate conditions. When the concentrations of methanol and 1-butanol were identical to 2000 ppmv, the E and N values of methanol and 1-butanol increased with rotational speed and liquid flow rate; however, increasing the gas flow rate increased the N values of methanol and 1-butanol but decreased the E values of methanol and 1-butanol. Also, the total absorption rates under various operating conditions were evaluated. At a given total concentration (2000 ppmv) of methanol and 1-butanol, the total absorption rate increased with rotational speed, gas flow rate, and liquid flow rate. Additionally, increasing the inlet methanol concentration increased the total absorption rate, but increasing the inlet 1-buatanol concentration reduced the total absorption rate at a particular total concentration (2000 ppmv) of methanol and 1-butanol. Comparison with the conventional packed tower demonstrates that mass transfer efficiency in the RPB with blade packing was higher than that in the conventional packed tower. Consequently, the RPB with blade packings would be an excellent absorber for the removal of alkanols from gas streams.