Model of an ammonia-water bubble absorber

Abstract

This paper describes a model of the absorption process in an ammonia-water vertical-tube bubble absorber. The objective of the work is to provide further understanding of the absorption process and to help direct future absorber design efforts. The model consists of five ordinary, first-order differential equations with appropriate inlet and interface conditions. A unique aspect of this approach is the proposed method to handle the influence of water transfer in the absorption process, an aspect often neglected in previous work in this area. The model predicts ammonia absorption and initial water desorption, which reverses the water reabsorption after equilibrium is reached.