📋 Case Study

Ethylene Oxide Absorption Column Design Optimization

Low mass transfer efficiency causing solvent over-circulation and high energy use

🏗️ Project Overview

Greenfield petrochemical plant in Singapore

🎯 Challenge

Low mass transfer efficiency causing solvent over-circulation and high energy use

🔧 Design Approach

Redesigned packing geometry with enhanced liquid distribution and optimized L/G ratio using film theory + two-film model

📐 Design Diagram

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Overall Mass Transfer Coefficient Kₐ

1/Kₐ = 1/kₗ + H/k_g

Result: 0.028 mol/m²·s·Pa

Determines required column height

📊 Results

22% reduction in solvent flow rate, 17% lower reboiler duty, 99.4% EO removal efficiency

💡 Lessons Learned

• •Interfacial resistance dominates for highly soluble gases
• •Liquid-side resistance must be minimized via agitation/distribution

✅ Key Takeaways

• 1Interfacial resistance dominates for highly soluble gases
• 2Liquid-side resistance must be minimized via agitation/distribution