Project ForgeThe packing of an existing absorption tower is replaced with a new type of packing. The height of the packing and the inlet conditions are maintained the same as before. Tests reveal that the number of transfer units is lower than before. This indicates that the tower with the new packing, when compared to that with the old packing, will
- Ahave a higher rate of absorption of the solute from the gas stream
- have a lower rate of absorption of the solute from the gas stream
- Chave the same rate of absorption of the solute from the gas stream
- Dhave a lower height of transfer unit
Explanation
The number of transfer units (NTU) achieved by a column is determined by the actual degree of composition change accomplished (a lower NTU corresponds to less separation being achieved between the same inlet and outlet compositions). Since the packing height Z=NTU×HTU is fixed and the measured NTU is lower, less separation — i.e. a lower rate of solute absorption — is being achieved (HTU is correspondingly higher, not lower, ruling out option D).
Source: GATE CH 2013 (2013)
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