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Calculation procedure to determine average mass transfer coefficients in packed columns from experimental data for ammonia–water absorption refrigeration systems

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Abstract

The ammonia purification process is critical in ammonia–water absorption refrigeration systems. In this paper, a detailed and a simplified analytical model are presented to characterize the performance of the ammonia rectification process in packed columns. The detailed model is based on mass and energy balances and simultaneous heat and mass transfer equations. The simplified model is derived and compared with the detailed model. The range of applicability of the simplified model is determined. A calculation procedure based on the simplified model is developed to determine the volumetric mass transfer coefficients in the vapour phase from experimental data. Finally, the proposed model and other simple calculation methods found in the general literature are compared.

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Abbreviations

a ef :

effective transfer area (m2 m−3)

\({\tilde{c}}_{p}\) :

partial molar specific heat (J kmol−1 K−1)

d c :

column diameter (m)

F :

mass transfer coefficient (kmol m−2 s−1)

h :

specific molar enthalpy (J kmol−1)

\({\tilde{h}}\) :

partial molar enthalpy (J kmol−1)

H :

column length (m)

H v :

height of a transfer unit for the vapour (m)

\({\dot{L}}\) :

liquid superficial molar flow (kmol m−2 s−1)

\({\dot{m}}\) :

mass flow (kg s−1)

\({\dot{n}}\) :

molar flux (kmol m−2 s−1)

N v :

number of transfer units for the vapour phase

\({\dot{N}}\) :

molar flow (kmol s−1)

p :

pressure, bar

r :

reflux ratio

T :

temperature (K)

x :

ammonia molar concentration (kmol kmol−1)

\({\dot{V}}\) :

vapour superficial molar flow (kmol m−2 s−1)

z :

ratio of ammonia to total molar flux

\({\bar{z}}\) :

average value of z along the column

α :

heat transfer coefficient (W m−2 K−1)

β :

finite mass transfer factor

\({\dot{\varphi}}\) :

heat flux (W m−2)

Φ h :

heat transfer correction factor

1:

bottom section of the column

2:

top section of the column

i :

liquid–vapour interface

l :

liquid

o :

overall

v :

vapour

*:

vapour in equilibrium with liquid

•:

corrected for finite mass transfer rate

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  1. Área de Máquinas y Motores Térmicos, E.T.S. de Ingenieros Industriales, University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas-Marcosende No 9, 36310, Vigo, Spain

    Jaime Sieres & José Fernández-Seara

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  1. Jaime Sieres
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  2. José Fernández-Seara
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Correspondence to José Fernández-Seara.

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Sieres, J., Fernández-Seara, J. Calculation procedure to determine average mass transfer coefficients in packed columns from experimental data for ammonia–water absorption refrigeration systems. Heat Mass Transfer 44, 1229–1239 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-007-0358-0

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