Rigorous dynamic modelling of complex reactive absorption processes

Reactive absorption processes usually represent kinetically controlled oper ations in which complex reactions are combined with multicomponent mass tra nsfer. For this reason, an adequate theoretical description of reactive abs orption should be based on the rate-based approach, with the direct conside ration of the process rates. Along these lines, a rigorous;dynamic model al lowing for multicomponent two-phase mass transfer, him and bulk reaction me chanisms, thermodynamic nonidealities, fluid dynamics and heat effects is d eveloped. For systems including electrolytes, an additional account of the electrical potential gradient is involved. The whole dynamic rate-based mod el represents a system of partial differential equations which has to be;so lved numerically. To validate the model, the reactive absorption of sour ga ses in an air purification process with packed columns is simulated. Severa l simulation results including different sensitivity studies are presented. The model is also tested against pilot-plant steady-state experiments. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.