Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S.
Salih
Tray/Plate Tower
The column consists of a cylindrical structure divided into sections by a series of perforated
trays which permit the upward flow of vapor. The liquid flows across each tray, over a weir and
down a down comer to the tray below. This kind of gas absorption is used when the load is more
than can be handled in a packed tower of about 1 m diameter and when there is any likelihood of
deposition of solids which would quickly choke a packing. Plate towers are particularly useful
when the liquid rate is sufficient to flood a packed tower.
It may be assumed that each plate is taken as an “ideal” unit, so that the gas leaving of
composition ( yn )is in equilibrium with the liquid of composition (xn )leaving the plate.
# Some types of trays are shown below:
(1) BUBBLE CAP TRAYS:
A bubble cap tray has riser or chimney fitted over each hole, and a cap that covers the
riser. The cap is mounted so that there is a space between riser and cap to allow the passage
of vapour. Vapour rises through the chimney and is directed downward by the cap, finally
discharging through slots in the cap, and finally bubbling through the liquid on the tray.
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Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
(2) SIEVE TRAYS:
Sieve trays are simply metal plates with holes in them. Vapour passes straight upward
through the liquid on the plate. The arrangement, number and size of the holes are design
parameters.
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Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
DECEMBER, 2022 2
Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
(3) VALVE TRAYS:
In valve trays, perforations are covered by lift able caps. Vapor flows lift the caps, thus
self-creating a flow area for the passage of vapor. The lifting cap directs the vapor to flow
horizontally into the liquid, thus providing better mixing than is possible in sieve trays.
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Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
Liquid and Vapor Flows in a Tray Column:
The image below show the direction of vapour and liquid flow across a tray, and across a
column. Each tray has 2 conduits, one on each side, called DOWNCOMER. Liquid falls
through the down-comers by gravity from one tray to the one below it. A WEIR on the tray
ensures that there is always some liquid (HOLDUP) on the tray and is designed such that the
holdup is at a suitable height, e.g. such that the bubble caps are covered by liquid.
This lecture is owned by Dr. Suhaib S. Salih. DO NOT copy unless you ask for permission.
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Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
Calculation of Tray Tower Height:
The height of tray tower can be obtained by using the following equation:
Z=H*N
Where:
H : is the distance between two trays, and it is given (0.3 - 0.7 m) and usually used (0.5 m).
N : is the number of trays, and it can be calculated based on equilibrium data.
Calculation the Number of Theoretical Plates (N):
Several methods are used to determine the number of ideal plates, or trays, required for a
given removal efficiency. These methods, however, can become quite complicated. One method
used is a graphical technique. The number of ideal plates is obtained by drawing "steps" on an
operating diagram. This procedure is illustrated in the Figure below. This method can be rather
time consuming, and inaccuracies can result at both ends of the graph.
Figure: Graphic determination of the number of theoretical plates
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Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
# If Linear Equilibrium Relationship (𝐘=𝐦 𝐗):
Solute material balance over tray (n):
𝐆𝐬 𝐘𝐧−𝟏 + 𝐋𝐬 𝐗 𝐧+𝟏 = 𝐆𝐬 𝐘𝐧 + 𝐋𝐬 𝐗 𝐧 ……… (1)
The equilibrium relation is:
𝐘
𝐗 = 𝐦 … … (2) Substitute in Eq. (1), we get:
𝐋𝐬 𝐋𝐬
𝐆𝐬 𝐘𝐧−𝟏 + 𝐘𝐧+𝟏 = 𝐆𝐬 𝐘𝐧 + 𝐘
𝒎 𝒎 𝐧
𝐋𝐬 𝐋𝐬
𝐆𝐬 𝐘𝐧−𝟏 + 𝐘𝐧+𝟏 = 𝐘𝐧 (𝐆𝐬 + )
𝒎 𝒎
𝐦 𝐆𝐬 𝐦 𝐆𝐬
𝐘𝐧+𝟏 − ( + 𝟏) 𝐘𝐧 + ( ) 𝐘𝐧−𝟏 = 𝟎
𝐋𝐬 𝐋𝐬
𝐘𝐧+𝟏 − (ɸ + 𝟏)𝐘𝐧 + (ɸ) 𝐘𝐧−𝟏 = 𝟎 … … … … . (𝟑)
Before we solve Eq. 3, we would introduce a new mathematical concept called E-operator,
which is used to relate the concentrations in the adjacent trays:
𝐘𝐧+𝟏 = 𝐄 𝐘𝐧
𝐘𝐧+𝟐 = 𝐄𝟐 𝐘𝐧
𝐘𝐧−𝟏 = (𝐄)−𝟏 𝐘𝐧
𝐘𝐧−𝟐 = (𝐄)−𝟐 𝐘𝐧
Now, we back to Eq. 3: apply E-operator:
𝐄 𝐘𝐧 − (ɸ + 𝟏)𝐘𝐧 + (ɸ) 𝐄−𝟏 𝐘𝐧 = 𝟎 Multiply by (E)
[𝐄𝟐 − (ɸ + 𝟏)𝐄 + ɸ] 𝐘𝐧 = 𝟎 Divided by (Yn)
𝐄𝟐 − (ɸ + 𝟏)𝐄 + ɸ = 𝟎
(𝐄 − 𝟏)(𝐄 − ɸ) = 𝟎
So, the roots of the equation are:
E=1, E=ɸ
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Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
The general solution is:
𝐘𝐧 = 𝐂𝟏 𝐄𝟏𝐧 + 𝐂𝟐 𝐄𝟐𝐧
Substitute the equation roots in to the general solution, we get:
𝐧
𝐘𝐧 = 𝐂𝟏 + 𝐂𝟐 ɸ
𝐘𝐧 − 𝐂𝟏
𝐥𝐧 ( 𝐂𝟐 )
𝐧=
𝐥𝐧 ɸ
To find the total number of trays, we substitute (n) by (N), we get:
𝐘𝐍 − 𝐂𝟏
𝐥𝐧 ( 𝐂𝟐 )
𝐍=
𝐥𝐧 ɸ
Where:
Yn : is the concentration (mole ratio) of solute on tray (n).
n : is the number of trays.
N: total number of theoretical trays inside the column.
C , C𝟐 : are equation constants.
Now, we apply the boundary conditions to find the equation constants (C1 , C𝟐):
𝐧
𝐘𝐧 = 𝐂𝟏 + 𝐂𝟐 ɸ … … … (𝟒)
B.C.1: at n = 0 , Yn = Yo
𝐨
𝐘𝐨 = 𝐂𝟏 + 𝐂𝟐 ɸ 𝐘𝐨 = 𝐂𝟏 + 𝐂𝟐 … … … (𝒂)
B.C.2 : at n = 1 , Yn = Y1 ( Y1 = m X1)
𝟏
𝐘𝟏 = 𝐂𝟏 + 𝐂𝟐 ɸ 𝐦 𝐗 𝟏 = 𝐂𝟏 + 𝐂𝟐 ɸ … … … (𝐛)
From Eq.s (a) and (b), we get:
𝐘𝐨 − 𝐦𝐗 𝟏
𝐂𝟐 =
𝟏−ɸ
𝐂𝟏 = 𝐘𝐨 − 𝐂𝟐
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Mass Transfer Absorption / Lecture 5 Dr. Suhaib S. Salih
Note: Equation below is a simplified method used to estimate the number of plates. This
equation can only be used if both the equilibrium and operating lines for the system are
straight. This is a valid assumption for most air pollution control systems. This equation,
taken from Sherwood and Pigford (1952), is derived in the same manner for computing
the NOG of a packed tower. The difference is this Equation is based on a stepwise solution
instead of a continuous contactor, as is the packed tower. (This derivation is referred to as
the height equivalent to a theoretical plate, or HETP instead of HTU):
𝐘 − 𝐦𝐗
𝐥𝐧 [(𝐘𝟏 − 𝐦𝐗 𝟐 ) (𝟏 − ɸ) + ɸ]
𝟐 𝟐
𝐍=
𝟏
𝐥𝐧 ( )
ɸ
This Equation also called Kremser Equation.
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