/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 34 An adiabatic membrane separation... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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An adiabatic membrane separation unit is used to dry (remove water vapor from) a gas mixture containing 10.0 mole \(\% \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{v}), 10.0\) mole \(\% \mathrm{CO},\) and the balance \(\mathrm{CO}_{2} .\) The gas enters the unit at \(30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and flows past a semipermeable membrane. Water vapor permeates through the membrane into an air stream. The dried gas leaves the separator at \(30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) containing \(2.0 \mathrm{mole} \% \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{v})\) and the balance \(\mathrm{CO}\) and \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\). Air enters the separator at \(50^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) with an absolute humidity of \(0.002 \mathrm{kg} \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} / \mathrm{kg}\) dry air and leaves at \(48^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Negligible quantities of \(\mathrm{CO}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}, \mathrm{O}_{2},\) and \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) permeate through the membrane. All gas streams are at approximately 1 atm. (a) Draw and label a flowchart of the process and carry out a degree of freedom analysis to verify that you can determine all unknown quantities on the chart. (b) Calculate (i) the ratio of entering air to entering gas (kg humid air/mol gas) and (ii) the relative humidity of the exiting air. (c) List several desirable properties of the membrane. (Think about more than just what it allows and does not allow to permeate.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The precise values of the ratio and relative humidity would depend on the actual numbers and data tables used. Desirable membrane properties include, but are not limited to, high selectivity towards H2O(v); high permeability; chemical, mechanical, thermal resistance; affordability and durability.

Step by step solution

01

Draw a Flowchart

A flowchart of the process can be drawn with the given inputs and outputs. On one side of the membrane, the gas mixture comes in at 30 °C with 10% each of H2O(v) and CO, and the balance CO2. It leaves at 30 °C with 2% H2O(v) and the balance CO and CO2. None of the CO, CO2, O2, and N2 transfer across. On the other side, air enters at 50 °C with an absolute humidity of 0.002 kg H2O/kg dry air and leaves at 48 °C. Only the H2O(v) moves across the membrane.
02

Degree of Freedom Analysis

This kind of analysis checks if the system is solvable with the given information. Each flow and composition in the process would be a variable. Then, based on all the equations we can write (like mass balances, energy balances, and the fact that mole fractions should add up to 1), we can count our number of equations. If the number of variables equals the number of equations, we can solve the system.
03

Calculate the Ratio of Entering Air to Entering Gas

This is a mass balance calculation. We know the H2O(v) in the entering gas and exiting gas, so we can find how much transfers across. That must equal the difference in H2O(v) in the entering and exiting air. From those, we can find out the moisture content of the air and hence the air flow.
04

Calculate Relative Humidity of Exiting Air

Relative humidity is the ratio of the actual vapor pressure to the saturation vapor pressure at the same temperature. Using the moisture content and the temperature of the exiting air, we can find its vapor pressure, and then its relative humidity.
05

Desirable Membrane Properties

The task is to list out qualities desired in the membrane. Apart from the one given (that it allows H2O(v) but not CO, CO2, O2, N2), other good properties would be high selectivity, high permeability, and chemical resistance to each component. It should also be mechanically strong and temperature resistant, as well as affordable and durable.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Flowchart
A flowchart is a visual representation of the process that helps to understand how the components move through the system. In this adiabatic membrane separation setup, drawing a flowchart involves outlining the inputs and outputs across the membrane. The flowchart should show:
  • On the left side, the incoming gas mixture with 10% water vapor and CO, and the remaining CO extsubscript{2} at 30°C.
  • On the right side, the incoming air stream with a specified absolute humidity entering at 50°C.
  • Below the membrane, mark what permeates through it, in this case, only H extsubscript{2}O vapor, moving from the gas side to the air side.
  • Label the conditions of gases leaving either side, noting the dried gas composition at the same initial temperature and the slightly cooler leaving air.
By mapping these components visually, we gain clarity into how each stream interacts with the membrane, and the expected output from both sides under the operation's conditions.
Degree of Freedom Analysis
Degree of freedom analysis is used to assess if we have sufficient information to solve for all variables in the system. In any process like membrane separation, we count variables such as flows and component compositions. We then determine how many independent equations we can write based on physical laws and process constraints. Here are the steps to perform this analysis:
  • Identify the number of unknowns: This includes unknown flow rates and compositions on each side of the membrane.
  • Write equations based on mass balances: Here, mass conservation principles, such as the total mass entering and leaving each side being equal, come into play.
  • Evaluate other constraints: For instance, mole fractions must sum to one, and energy considerations might impose additional equations.
If the number of unknowns equals the number of independent equations, the system has zero degrees of freedom, indicating it is perfectly solvable with the provided data.
Mass Balance
A mass balance involves keeping track of mass across the process to compute unknowns like flow rates or concentrations. For the adiabatic membrane separation, we follow these principles:
  • Analyze the water vapour across the membrane: Determine how much water vapor is transferred by comparing the compositions of the incoming and outgoing streams on both sides.
  • Apply the conservation of mass: The amount of each component entering the system equals the amount leaving. This applies individually to each species or as a total flow rate.
  • Recalculate unknown flows: Utilize differences in mass balance on either side to derive the flow ratio of incoming humid air to incoming gas, a critical step in determining operational efficiency.
By adhering to these balance equations, we establish a stable method to quantify all relevant stream parameters and ensure no hidden inconsistencies exist.
Relative Humidity
Relative humidity (RH) is an essential factor impacting separation efficiency. It is the ratio of the current vapor pressure of water to the saturation vapor pressure at that temperature. For the air leaving the membrane separator, we calculate RH as follows:
  • Identify the vapor pressure: This involves determining what the pressure would be if the air could hold no more water vapor without condensing (saturation).
  • Calculate the current moisture content: From the mass balance, determine the final water vapor pressure.
  • Express the relative humidity: This is given as \((\frac{\text{Actual vapor pressure}}{\text{Saturation vapor pressure}}) \times 100\%\).
A high relative humidity indicates the air is close to saturation, which is a critical design parameter ensuring efficiency and avoiding condensation issues.
Membrane Properties
Selecting a membrane for separation requires understanding several key material properties. A good membrane enhances process efficiency and lifetime:
  • High selectivity: It should preferentially allow water vapour over other gases like CO, CO extsubscript{2}, O extsubscript{2}, and N extsubscript{2} to permeate.
  • High permeability: Supports high flow rates of water vapor to maintain operational efficiency.
  • Chemical resistance: The membrane must withstand exposure to all gases involved without degrading.
  • Mechanical strength: It should withstand operational pressures and temperatures without failure.
  • Durability and cost-effectiveness: Long operational life and reasonable manufacturing costs are practical necessities.
By factoring in these properties, one can choose a membrane that enhances the overall process performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

As part of a design calculation, you must evaluate an enthalpy change for an obscure organic vapor that is to be cooled from \(1800^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) to \(150^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) in a heat exchanger. You search through all the standard references for tabulated enthalpy or heat capacity data for the vapor but have no luck at all, until you finally stumble on an article in the May 1922 Antarctican Journal of Obscure Organic Vapors that contains a plot of \(C_{p}\left[\operatorname{cal} /\left(\mathrm{g} \cdot^{\cdot} \mathrm{C}\right)\right]\) on a logarithmic scale versus \(\left[T\left(^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\right]^{1 / 2}\) on a linear scale. The plot is a straight line through the points \(\left(C_{p}=0.329, T^{1 / 2}=7.1\right)\) and \(\left(C_{p}=0.533, T^{1 / 2}=17.3\right)\) (a) Derive an equation for \(C_{p}\) as a function of \(T.\) (b) Suppose the relationship of Part (a) turns out to be $$ C_{p}=0.235 \exp \left[0.0473 T^{1 / 2}\right] $$ and that you wish to evaluate $$ \Delta \hat{H}(\mathrm{cal} / \mathrm{g})=\int_{1800 \mathrm{c}}^{150^{\circ} \mathrm{C}} C_{p} d T $$ First perform the integration analytically, using a table of integrals if necessary; then write a spreadsheet or computer program to do it using Simpson's rule (Appendix A.3). Have the program evaluate \(C_{p}\) at 11 equally spaced points from \(150^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) to \(1800^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), estimate and print the value of \(\Delta H,\) and repeat the calculation using 101 points. What can you conclude about the accuracy of the numerical calculation?

Saturated propane vapor at \(2.00 \times 10^{2}\) psia is fed to a well- insulated heat exchanger at a rate of \(3.00 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{SCFH}\) (standard cubic feet per hour). The propane leaves the exchanger as a saturated liquid (i.e., a liquid at its boiling point) at the same pressure. Cooling water enters the exchanger at \(70^{\circ} \mathrm{F},\) flowing cocurrently (in the same direction) with the propane. The temperature difference between the outlet streams (liquid propane and water) is \(15^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\). (a) What is the outlet temperature of the water stream? (Use the Antoine equation.) Is the outlet water temperature less than or greater than the outlet propane temperature? Briefly explain. (b) Estimate the rate (Btu/h) at which heat must be transferred from the propane to the water in the heat exchanger and the required flow rate \(\left(1 \mathrm{b}_{\mathrm{m}} / \mathrm{h}\right)\) of the water. (You will need to write two separate energy balances.) Assume the heat capacity of liquid water is constant at \(1.00 \mathrm{Btu} /\left(\mathrm{lb}_{\mathrm{m}} \cdot^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\right)\) and neglect heat losses to the outside and the effects of pressure on the heat of vaporization of propane.

Among the best-known building blocks in nanotechnology applications are nanoparticles of noble metals. For example, colloidal suspensions of silver or gold nanoparticles (10-200 nm) exhibit vivid colors because of intense optical absorption in the visible spectrum, making them useful in colorimetric sensors. In the illustration shown below, a suspension of gold nanoparticles of a fairly uniform size in water exhibits peak absorption near a wavelength of \(525 \mathrm{nm}\) (near the blue region of the visible spectrum of light). When one views the solution in ambient (white) light, the solution appears wine-red because the blue part of the spectrum is largely absorbed. When the nanoparticles aggregate to form large particles, an optical absorption peak near \(600-700 \mathrm{nm}\) (near the red region of the visible spectrum) is observed. The breadth of the peak reflects a fairly broad particle size distribution. The solution appears bluish because the unabsorbed light reaching the eye is dominated by the short (blue-violet) wavelength region of the spectrum. since the optical properties of metallic nanoparticles are a strong function of their size, achieving a narrow particle size distribution is an important step in the development of nanoparticle applications. A promising way to do so is laser photolysis, in which a suspension of particles of several different sizes is irradiated with a high-intensity laser pulse. By carefully selecting the wavelength and energy of the pulse to match an absorption peak of one of the particle sizes (e.g., irradiating the red solution in the diagram with a \(525 \mathrm{nm}\) laser pulse), particles of or near that size can be selectively vaporized. (a) A spherical silver nanoparticle of diameter \(D\) at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is to be heated to its normal boiling point and vaporized with a pulsed laser. Considering the particle a closed system at constant pressure, write the energy balance for this process, look up the physical properties of silver that are required in the energy balance, and perform all the required substitutions and integrations to derive an expression for the energy \(Q_{\text {abs }}(\mathrm{J})\) that must be absorbed by the particle as a function of \(D(\mathrm{nm})\) (b) The total energy absorbed by a single particle \(\left(Q_{\text {abs }}\right)\) can also be calculated from the following relation: $$ Q_{\mathrm{abs}}=F A_{\mathrm{p}} \sigma_{\mathrm{abs}} $$ where \(F\left(\mathrm{J} / \mathrm{m}^{2}\right)\) is the energy in a single laser pulse per unit spot area (area of the laser beam) and \(A_{\mathrm{p}}\left(\mathrm{m}^{2}\right)\) is the total surface area of the nanoparticle. The effectiveness factor, \(\sigma_{\mathrm{ahs}},\) accounts for the efficiency of absorption by the nanoparticle at the wavelength of the laser pulse and is dependent on the particle size, shape, and material. For a spherical silver nanoparticle irradiated by a laser pulse with a peak wavelength of \(532 \mathrm{nm}\) and spot diameter of \(7 \mathrm{mm}\) with \(D\) ranging from 40 to \(200 \mathrm{nm}\), the following empirical equation can be used for \(\sigma_{\mathrm{abs}}\) $$ \sigma_{\mathrm{abs}}=\frac{1}{4}\left[0.05045+2.2876 \exp \left(-\left(\frac{D-137.6}{41.675}\right)^{2}\right)\right] $$ where \(\sigma_{\text {abs }}\) and the leading \(\frac{1}{4}\) are dimensionless and \(D\) has units of nm. Use the results of Part (a) to determine the minimum values of F required for complete vaporization of single nanoparticles with diameters of \(40.0 \mathrm{nm}, 80.0 \mathrm{nm},\) and \(120.0 \mathrm{nm}\). If the pulse frequency of the laser is \(10 \mathrm{Hz}\) (i.e., 10 pulses per second), what is the minimum laser power \(P(\mathrm{W})\) required for each of those values of D? (Hint: Set up a dimensional equation relating \(P\) to \(F\).) (c) Suppose you have a suspension of a mixture of \(D=40 \mathrm{nm}\) and \(D=120 \mathrm{nm}\) spherical silver nanoparticles and a \(10 \mathrm{Hz} / 532 \mathrm{nm}\) pulsed laser source with a \(7 \mathrm{nm}\) diameter spot and adjustable power. Describe how you would use the laser to produce a suspension of particles of only a single size and state what that size would be.

The heat required to raise the temperature of \(m\) (kg) of a liquid from \(T_{1}\) to \(T_{2}\) at constant pressure is $$ Q=\Delta H=m \int_{T_{1}}^{T_{2}} C_{p}(T) d T $$ In high school and in first-year college physics courses, the formula is usually given as $$ Q=m C_{p} \Delta T=m C_{p}\left(T_{2}-T_{1}\right) $$ (a) What assumption about \(C_{p}\) is required to go from Equation 1 to Equation \(2 ?\) (b) The heat capacity \(\left(C_{p}\right)\) of liquid \(n\) -hexane is measured in a bomb calorimeter. A small reaction flask (the bomb) is placed in a well- insulated vessel containing \(2.00 \mathrm{L}\) of liquid \(n-\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{14}\) at \(T=300 \mathrm{K} .\) A combustion reaction known to release \(16.73 \mathrm{kJ}\) of heat takes place in the bomb, and the subsequent temperature rise of the system contents is measured and found to be \(3.10 \mathrm{K}\). In a separate experiment, it is found that \(6.14 \mathrm{kJ}\) of heat is required to raise the temperature of everything in the system except the hexane by \(3.10 \mathrm{K}\). Use these data to estimate \(C_{p}[\mathrm{kJ} /(\mathrm{mol} \cdot \mathrm{K})]\) for liquid \(n\) -hexane at \(T \approx 300 \mathrm{K},\) assuming that the condition required for the validity of Equation 2 is satisfied. Compare your result with a tabulated value.

A mixture of \(n\) -hexane vapor and air leaves a solvent recovery unit and flows through a \(70-\mathrm{cm}\) diameter duct at a velocity of \(3.00 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\). At a sampling point in the duct the temperature is \(40^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), the pressure is \(850 \mathrm{mm}\) Hg, and the dew point of the sampled gas is \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The gas is fed to a condenser in which it is cooled at constant pressure, condensing \(70 \%\) of the hexane in the feed. (a) Perform a degree-of-freedom analysis to show that enough information is available to calculate the required condenser outlet temperature \(\left(^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\) and cooling rate \((\mathrm{kW})\) (b) Perform the calculations. (c) If the feed duct diameter were \(35 \mathrm{cm}\) for the same molar flow rate of the feed gas, what would be the average gas velocity (volumetric flow rate divided by cross-sectional area)? (d) Suppose you wanted to increase the percentage condensation of hexane for the same feed stream. Which three condenser operating variables might you change, and in which direction?

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