HCl Gas and Hydrochloric Acid

Absorption of HCl Gas

The absorption of hydrogen chloride in water or

dilute hydrochloric acid is a central operation in
the production of hydrochloric acid.
This technique is often used for gases from
씰 HCl synthesis units
씰 Chemical production plants
(e.g. MDI/TDI or metallurgical processes)
씰 Waste incineration units.
HCl gas is brought into contact with water. In well-
designed processes, the absorption assures clean
flue gases and high HCl concentrations in the prod-
uct acid. The absorption is a highly exothermic
process which heats up gas and absorption liquid.
Therefore, the absorption is often performed in
combined equipment – DIABON heat exchangers
and DIABON columns. Depending on the HCl con-
centration in the feed gas, the absorption is either
isothermal or adiabatic.

Isothermal absorption
Isothermal absorption is more economic for higher-
concentration HCl gases. Therefore, a water-
cooled DIABON falling-film absorber is used for
the main absorption with simultaneous cooling of
the produced hydrochloric acid. The falling-film
heat exchanger can be operated in a co-current or
counter-current mode. In co-current absorption,
both liquid and gas are fed at the top of the heat
exchanger. The acid solution and the gas with un-
absorbed HCl leave the absorber at the bottom out-
let. This gas is scrubbed in a downstream absorp-
tion column. The weak acid leaving at the bottom
is used as absorption liquid for the falling-film ab-
sorber. Isothermal absorption system
An appropriate design with trays or packing with block heat exchanger, scrubber, pumps and tank
ensures that the specified emission limits are met.

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Adiabatic absorption
Adiabatic absorption is normally applied for low-
concentration HCl gases with constituents such as Vent gas

solvents that need to be vented.

The HCl-containing gas is fed to the bottom of a FIC

DIABON/LICUFLON column, while the absorption

Scrubber
liquid is fed at the top. Gas and liquid flow are Absorption water

counter-current to ensure optimum absorption. The

height, diameter and internals are designed in
such a way that the desired acid concentration is
obtained and the purity of the vent gas is maxi-
mized. The heat of absorption generates an ele- HCl gas

vated temperature of overheads and bottoms Isothermal

product, thus evaporating additional amounts of absorber
(can be
water. This water can be removed in a subsequent combined with
DIABON condenser. The hot acid stream is cooled a quencher)

in an integral or separate heat exchanger.

Hydrochloric
acid
Capacity and available sizes Tank DIC
LICA
Our Absorption Systems are proven solutions for
a capacity of 0.5 to 400 t/d of 100% HCl per
unit and for product concentrations in the range of
25 to 38% HCl.
Pump

Isothermal absorption of HCl gas

Cooling water Condenser

Inert gases

FIC
Absorption
water

Absorption column

HCl gas
AIC

Cooler
LIC

Tank
Hydrochloric acid,
e.g. HCl 33%

Pump
Adiabatic absorption of HCl gas