PURDUE UNIVERSITY

ChE 43500 2015

DESIGN OF AN AIR EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

Air containing 5.7 vol % ammonia is produced by one of our processes. It is to be vented to the atmosphere
at a rate of up to 3500 scfm but must contain less than 100 ppm (molar) ammonia to meet our air permit
requirements. Design a scrubber system to remove the ammonia. The Plant Manager has recommended a
tower packed with Raschig rings as compatible with our current emission control systems.
We would like to sell the recovered ammonia, so investigate process concepts to create a commercially
viable ammonia product. This is not a high cash flow business and effort should be expended to minimize
capital requirements.

Pilot Plant Equipment

Our pilot plant facility has a small packed
column absorber which is available for your use.
The column (10 cm I.D.) is packed with
approximately 5 L, 4.3 kg, of ceramic
Raschig rings.
Air is fed to the bottom of the column and water
to the top. Gaseous ammonia can be injected into
the inlet air stream shortly before it enters the
column and its flow rate is monitored with a
Rota meter. A gas sample tap is located in the
headspace at the top of the column. An ammonia
analyzer with an infrared detector continuously
withdraws a sample of this stream with a
calibrated air pump. The sample stream must be
free of liquid water, so it is sent through a water
trap. This apparatus is designed to detect trace
(ppm) levels of ammonia in air so do not use it to
calibrate the ammonia Rotameter. High spikes
of ammonia in air will result in several hours of
wasted time until the air clears the sample
stream.
Ammonia Concentration in Liquid Effluent
Hydroxide content. You should titrate the weak
base with standardized acid using a methyl orange
indicator. The original process equipment handout
from 1999 is available, but the equipment has been
extensively revised since that time. Apply statistics
and error analysis.
Equipment Characterization
Determine pressure drop/flooding conditions in the
column under varying gas and liquid flow rates.
Apply statistical and error analysis to your data and
report findings, together with an experimental
design and plan to continue with the design of your
scaled up equipment.
Safety
Ammonia is a powerful chemical. Carefully read
and review the MSDS before beginning any
experimental activity. Cylinders of ammonia gas
are potentially dangerous because of the quantity
of material. Before starting work, be sure the
exhaust duct over the gas exit is working.

The liquid product stream from the absorber

column should be analyzed for ammonium

References
1. McCabe, W.L., J.C. Smith, and P. Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 7th ed,
McGrawHill,2005.
2. Wankat,PhillipC.,SeparationProcessEngineering,3rded.,PrenticeHall,2012.
3. Houze, R.N., Notes on Mass Transfer, Purdue University, 2006