GRAPHICAL USER INFERFACE (GUI) DEVELOPMENT OF GAS ABSORPTION USING

MICROSOFT EXCEL®

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Submitted by:
GONZALES, RUBINA C.
GUILLERMO, DENVER V.
MAMBA, RHEA D.
MANALIGOD, LAICA C.
PASION, CHERILYN S.

Submitted to:
ENGR. LEONARD D. AGANA

January 2019
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract .....................................................................................................................................................
I. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1
II. Problem Solving Process................................................................................................................... 2
III. Development of Graphical User Interface (GUI) .................................................................................. 4
IV. Gas Absorption GUI User Guide ........................................................................................................ 7
V. Graphical User Interface (GUI) Features ............................................................................................. 8
VI. Results and Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 8
VII. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 13
VIII. References ...................................................................................................................................... 13
 Abstract
This study developed a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for gas absorption calculation using Visual
Basics for application (VBA) in Microsoft Excel. The GUI is designed to calculate the number of stages
and the column height from given a gas absorption problem. It offers solution for twelve different gas
mixtures. The GUI is tested by the calculating the number of stages and height of two sample problems.
The results computed from the GUI has a minimal difference from the results calculated manually. The
developed GUI in this study is a helpful tool for users in dealing with manual step-by-step calculations
and graphical methods involved in gas absorption problems.
I. Introduction

Mass transfer is a fundamental concept utilized in various industrial operations and research. The
mass transfer operation in which a gas mixture is contacted with a liquid for the purpose of preferentially
dissolving one or more of the gaseous components into the liquid is called gas absorption.

One of the most common pieces of absorption equipment is the tray towers. In tray absorption tower,
multi-stage contact between gas and liquid takes place. In each tray, the liquid is brought into intimate
contact of gas and equilibrium is reached thus making an ideal stage. In ideal stage, average composition
of liquid leaving the tray is in equilibrium with liquid leaving that tray. The most important step in design
of tray absorber is the determination of number of trays. The schematic of tray tower is presented in
Figure 1. The liquid enters from top of the column whereas gas is added from the bottom.

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of Tray Tower

The problem presented to the designer of a gas-absorption unit usually specifies the following
quantities: (1) gas flow rate; (2) gas composition, at least with respect to the component or components
to be absorbed; (3) operating pressure and allowable pressure drop across the absorber; (4) minimum
degree of recovery of one or more solutes; and, possibly, (5) the solvent to be employed. Items 3, 4, and
5 may be subject to economic considerations and therefore are sometimes left up to the designer. For
determining the number of variables that must be specified in order to fix a unique solution for the design
of an absorber one can use the same phase-rule approach (Green & Perry, 2008).

Gas absorption is an important unit operation used in the chemical industry to separate gases by
washing or scrubbing a gas mixture with a suitable liquid. One or more of the constituents of the gas
mixture dissolves or is absorbed in the liquid and can thus be removed from the mixture. In some systems,

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this gaseous constituent forms a physical solution with the liquid or the solvent, and in other cases, it
reacts with the liquid chemically. The purpose of such scrubbing operations may be gas purification,
removal of air pollutants from exhaust gases, product recovery, or production of solutions of gases for
various purposes.

The term “Graphical User Interface” (GUI) is the layer where the digital product communicated with
human and human communicated with digital product. A well designed product can fail with an
unsuccessful interface. Conversely, a product has not good design values can become successful with
its well-designed interface. To get best interaction between digital product and user, the graphical
interface design itself needs to have some design values and requires a systematic approach to the
design (Miranda, 2011). The computation of non-isothermal gas absorption processes is difficult because
of all the interactions involved. A computer is normally required to establish the correct concentration and
temperature profiles through the tower.

The main objective of this paper is to create a GUI of mass transfer of different gases in air to water
as well as to calculate the number of stages and the required height of the tower.

II. Problem Solving Process

The process flow diagram of plate (tray) absorption is shown in the Figure 2
V1 V2 V3 Vn Vn+1 VN VN+1

1 2 n N
Ln-1 LN-1
L1 L2 L3 Ln LN

Figure 2: Multi-stage gas absorber

In tray absorption tower, multi-stage contact between gas and liquid takes place. In each tray, the
liquid is brought into intimate contact of gas and equilibrium is reached thus making an ideal stage.

The most important step in design of tray absorber is the determination of number of trays. The
following parameters should be known for the determination of “number of stages”

(1) Gas feed rate

(2) Concentration of gas at inlet and outlet of the tower
(3) Minimum liquid rate; actual liquid rate is 1.2 to 2 times the minimum liquid rate.
(4) Equilibrium data for construction of equilibrium curve

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 Now, the number of theoretical stages can be obtained graphically or algebraically. The general
equations involved can be derive by writing material balance in any plate.
Making a total overall balance in all stages,
LO + V N +1 = LN + V1 = M

Where VN +1 is mol/hr entering, LN is mol/hr leaving the process, and M is the total flow.

Note that in Figure 2 any two streams leaving a stage are in equilibrium with each other. For an
overall component balance on A,B,C,
LO xO + V N +1 y N +1 = L N x N + V1 y1 = Mx M

Where x and y are mole fractions. Making a total mass balance over the first n stages,

LO + Vn+1 = Ln + V1

Making a component balance over the first n stages,

LO xO + Vn+1 y n+1 = Ln x n + V1 y1

Solving for yn+1

Ln x n V1 y1 - LO xO
y n+1 = +
Vn+1 Vn+1

The equation above is often called an operating line. This relates the concentration yn+1 in the V

stream with xn in the L stream passing it. The terms V1, y1, LO, xO are constant and usually known or
can be determined.

Solving for the number of stages is given by the following equation

 Y  x0   1  1 
ln 10 N 1  1    
  Y1  x0   A  A 
N
ln A

The height can be calculated for a packed column absorber. Defining a as interfacial area, the
volumetric film and overall mass transfer coefficient are then defined as

kg
k'y a 
s  m packing  mol frac
3

kg
k'x a 
s  m packing  mol frac
3

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For a dilute system, the height can be calculated from the following equation

Height  H G N G  HOG NOG

Where

H G = height of transfer unit based on gas phase resistance

Gm
HG 
K Ga ybm

HOG = height of one over-all gas-phase transfer unit

Gm
HOG  
K Ga ybm


y1 ybm dy
NOG  
y2 
y 2 1  y  y  y  
1  1  y2  y1 dy
2  1  y1  y 2  y  yi 
NG  ln  

ybm 
1  y   1  yi 
 1 y 
ln  
 1  yi 


y bm 
1  y   1  y  
 1 y 
ln  
1 y



III. Development of Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The development of Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Gas Absorption starts by opening the Visual
Basics in Excel. From there open a Userform, the toolbox will show the controls needed to create the
GUI. In the property table click Picture and choose the multi-stage gas absorber image. Use the Label
boxes and Combo boxes control in the toolbox to name the components of the GUI, for the material
balance: system, percent recovery, V1, y1, LO, xO, Vn+1, Ln+1, Ln, xn; for stages: operating line,
equilibrium line, number of stages; for tower height: Kx, Ky, height, area.

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 To create codes for Gas absorption, first is to create code to specify the type of gas mixture used
in the absorber. For this GUI twelve types of different gas mixtures are considered. These are the CH4-
Air-Water, CO-Air-Water, CO2-Air-Water, C2H6-Air-Water, C3H6O-Air-Water, H2-Air-Water, H2S-Air-
Water, NH3-Air-Water, NO-Air-Water, N2-Air-Water, O2-Air-Water and also for other system.

By using excel spreadsheet the material balance of gas absorption can be computed. For the plate-
by-plate calculation of the gas mixture, both the operating and equilibrium lines are expressed as
mathematical functions, the concentrations can be easily determined numerically. The (x,y) data series
is added to the existing graph, thus completing the numerical McCabe-Thiele diagram.

Input boxes are place on the form for giving appropriate commands for calculating and generating
solution for a given gas absorption problem. Use the balanced system cells to specify the following:
percent recovery, V1, y1, LO, xO, Vn+1, Ln+1, Ln. Also use the excel file to code remaining variables. All
equations, data, and correlations for obtaining the required process parameter from a given problem
were then coded in the code window. In the excel spreadsheet, record a macro and compute the
required process parameters graphically. Use the codes generated by the macro to code for calculate
button.

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 PROGRAMMING FLOWCHART

01 Open the Userform from the Visual Basics in Excel.

02 Import picture for multiple stages gas absorber.

Use label and combo boxes control in the toolbox to name the components of
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Graphical User Interface (GUI).

04 Create code to specify the type of gas mixture used in the absorber.

Material balance and plate-by-plate calculation of gas absorption is done using the
05 Excel spreadsheet.

The equilibrium line and operating line are plotted to determine the number
06 of stages. In addition, the height of the absorber can be calculated by the
data provided.

Use the balanced system in the Excel spreadsheet to specify the cells needed to
07 code each input boxes taking in to account all the equations, data and correlations
for obtaining the required process parameter from a given problem.

In the Excel spreadsheet, record a macro and compute the required process
08 parameter. Use the codes generated by the macro to code the calculate button.

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ASSUMPTIONS:
1. The gas is comprised of a two-component gas mixture (solute/air), where the solute
consists of a single compound present in dilute quantities.
2. The absorbent is pure water (XO=0
3. The equilibrium curve is linear.
4. The system is isothermal.
5. Operating conditions are at 25°C at 1 atm.

IV. Gas Absorption GUI User Guide

GUI developed is a helpful tool and it provides a faster way to solve problems in Gas absorption. It
offers solvable problems for the following Gas Mixtures

[a] CH4-Air-Water [g] H2S-Air-Water

[b] CO-Air-Water [h]NH3-Air-Water
[c] CO2-Air-Water [i] NO-Air-Water
[d] C2H4-Air-Water [j] NO2-Air-Water
[e] C3H6O-Air-Water [k] O2-Air-Water
[f] H2-Air-Water [l] other system

To calculate the number of stages and height of the gas absorber, some process parameters are
needed to be specified. For the calculation of number of stages, the following are to be specified by the
user

[1] LO -absorbent inlet flowrate, (kg mol/hr)

[2] Vn+1 -gas inlet flowrate, (kg mol/hr)
[3] yn=1 -inlet gas concentration (mol)
[4] Percent Recovery
[5] xO=0

For the calculation of the tower height requires the following data:

[1] LO -absorbent inlet flowrate, (kg mol/hr)

[2] Vn+1 -gas inlet flowrate, (kg mol/hr)
[3] yn=1 -inlet gas concentration (mol)
[4] Percent Recovery
[5] xO=0
[6] tower area

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 [7] overall liquid mass transfer coefficient; K’x
[8] overall gas mass transfer coefficient; K’y

Note: When calculating for other system, the user needs to specify the equation of the equilibrium line
and if the equilibrium line equation is specified in the problem, the user needs to use other system.

V. Graphical User Interface (GUI) Features

Using Microsoft Excel and its VBA programming language, we can create a GUI that enabled us to
automate a Gas Absorption process. This GUI can calculate the number of stages and tower height with
the following features:

 Input boxes were set up on the screens for inputting and selecting the design specifications, and
were labeled appropriately.
 Gas absorption diagram was laid out on the screen the with the appropriate streams of input and
output.
 Command buttons were also placed on the forms for giving appropriate commands for calculating
and generating report, updating record, and adding record to data base and for exiting the
application.
 All equations, data, and correlations for obtaining the required process parameter from a given
problem were then coded in the code window.
 The codes for generating report, updating record, and adding record to data base and for exiting
the application were also coded in the code window.

VI. Results and Discussion

Problem adopted from Nptel

It is desired to absorb 95% of acetone by water from a mixture of acetone and nitrogen containing 1.5%
of the component in a countercurrent tray tower. Total gas input is 30 kmol/hr and water enters the tower
at a rate of 90 kmol/hr. The tower operates at 27ºC and 1 atm. The equilibrium relation is Y=2.53X.
Determine the number of ideal stages necessary for the separation using (a) graphical method as well
as (b) Kremser analysis method.

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Solution:
Basis 1 hr
VN+1 = 30 kmol VN = 29.55 moles
YN+1 = 0.015 LN = 90 moles
LO = 90 kmol Y=2.53 x
Moles acetone in = 30*0.015 moles = 0.45 moles
Moles nitrogen in = (30-0.45) moles = 29.55 moles
Moles acetone leaving (95% absorbed) = 0.45*(1-0.95) moles = 0.0225 moles

0.0225
Y1   7.6110  4
29.55
YN 1  0.015

Rewriting the equation, the operating line becomes

V N Y N  1  Y1   L N  X N  X O 

 
29.55  0.015  7.61  10  4  90  X N  0

X N  4.68  10  3

a. Solution by graphical method:

Construction of operating line PQ:

P X 0 ' Y1   P 0,7.6110 4 

Q X N ' YN 1   Q 4.68 10 3 ,0.015 
Construction of equilibrium line
X 0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005
Y 0 0.00253 0.00506 0.00759 0.01012 0.01256

From graphical construction, the number of triangles obtained is more than 7. Hence, the number of
ideal stages is 8.

b. Solution by Kremser analysis method

As A  1 , according to Kremser analysis method:

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  Y  x0   1  1 
ln 10  N 1  1    
  Y   x   A  A
N
1 0

ln A
 0.015  2.53  0   1  1 
ln 10  4  1   
  7.6110  2.53  0   1.204  1.204 
ln 1.204
  0.204  1 
ln 10 20   
  1.204  1.204 

0.1856
1.43966

0.1856
 7.75

The ideal number of stages is 8.

c. Solving by the developed Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Figure 3 shows the computed values for the sample problem by using the developed Graphical User
Interface (GUI). The number of stages obtained is 7.93508539 which is almost equal with the 8 ideal
number of stages computed using the graphical and Kremser method.

Figure 3: Results Using Graphical User Interface (Sample Problem 1)

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Problem adopted from Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering, 7th edition
Example 18.1. A gas stream containing 3.0% A is passed through a packed column to remove 99% of
the A by absorption in water with an area of 1.85 m2. The absorber will operate at 250C and 1 atm, and
the gas and liquid rates are to be 20 mol/(hm2) and 100 mol/(hm2), respectively. Mass transfer coefficients
and equilibrium data are given below:

y 8  3.1x

k x a  135 mol / h  m 3  unit mol fraction

k y a  540 mol / h  m 3  unit mol fraction

(a) Find N Oy , H Oy and height, assuming isothermal operation and neglecting changes in gas and

liquid flow.
(b) Calculate Z, using N Ox and H Ox

Solution:

(a) Assume x s  0 , Since VM x b  x a   L M y a  y b 

20  0.03  0.99
xb   0.00594
100
xb  3.1 0.00594  0.01841
At the bottom of the column,

y b  y b  0.3  0.01841  0.01159

At the top,

y b  y b  y a  0.0003

y m 
y  y   y


 y a
ln  y  y   y
b b a

b

b a  y 

a

0.01159  0.0003
y m   0.00309
ln 0.01159 0.0003
0.03  0.99
N Oy   9.61
0.00309

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 1 1 m 1 3 .1
     0.01315
K y a k y a k x a 135 540

K y a  76.056

20
H Oy   0.263 m
76.056
Z  0.263  9.61  2.53 m
0.03
xb   0.009677
3.1

The relative gas-film resistance is

1 / 135
 0.56 or 56%
1 / 76.056
(b) At the bottom of the column,
x  0.009677  0.00594  0.003737

0.0003
At the top, x a   9.677  10 5 , x a  0
3.1

y m 
x  x   x  x 
 

ln x  x  x  x 
b b a a
 
b b a a

0.00374  0.000097
y m   9.96  10  4
ln 0.00374 0.000097
0.00594
N Ox   9.61
9.96  10  4

1 1 m 1 1
     4.24  10 3
K x a k x a mk y a 540 3.1 135

K x a  235.85

100
H Ox   0.424 m
235.85
Z  5.96  0.424  2.53 m

Note that although N Oy and N Ox are quite different, the values of H Oy and H Ox are also different,

so the values of Z are the same for the two methods of calculations.

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 Figure 4: Results Using Graphical User Interface (Sample Problem 2)
The calculated height using the developed Graphical User Interface is 2.560050399577 m, which is
approximately equal with 2.53 m as calculated manually.

VII. Conclusion

Different problems were solved to determine the validity of the Graphical User Interface (GUI)
developed. Results show that the values obtained from the GUI are almost equal with the values
calculated manually. This proves that the GUI developed in an effective tool in solving gas absorption
problems. This would lessen the time in calculating intensive gas absorption problem by only plugging in
the given parameters rather than computing it manually. The trial and error portion of the calculation can
be done through the developed GUI and still arriving with almost the same answers, this would a great
help instead of performing iterations to be able to come up with the answer.

VIII. References

[1] Geankoplis, C. J. (1993). Transport Processes and Unit Operations (3rd ed.). Prentice-Hall
International.

[2] Green, D. W., & Perry, R. H. (2008). Perry's Chemical Engineering Handbook 8th Edition.
Mc-Grawhill Companies.

[3] McCabe, W. L., Smith, J. C., & Harriott, P. (1993). Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering
(5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Internatioal Editions.

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[4] Miranda, M. G. (2011). THE IMPORTANCE OF GRAPHIC USERS INTERFACE,
ANALYSIS OF GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE DESIGN IN THE CONTEXT OF HUMAN-
COMPUTER INTERACTION. mexico: Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana .

[5] Perry, R. H., & Green, D. W. (2001). Perry's chemical Engineers' Handbook (7th ed.).
McGraw-Hill International Edition.

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