ANS:C - absorption factor

The absorption factor is a concept used in the design and analysis of absorption processes, particularly in the context of gas-liquid contactors such as packed columns or tray towers. It helps in determining the number of ideal stages required for a given separation. In absorption processes, a gas (or vapor) containing one or more components is brought into contact with a liquid solvent. The components in the gas phase are transferred into the liquid phase due to the differences in their solubilities. The absorption factor provides a measure of the efficiency of this mass transfer process. Mathematically, the absorption factor (𝐹F) is defined as the ratio of the molar flow rate of the solute in the liquid phase to the molar flow rate of the solute in the gas phase, both at equilibrium conditions. It is expressed as: 𝐹=𝑁𝐿𝑁𝐺F=NG​NL​​ Where:

• 𝐹F is the absorption factor
• 𝑁𝐿NL​ is the molar flow rate of the solute in the liquid phase at equilibrium
• 𝑁𝐺NG​ is the molar flow rate of the solute in the gas phase at equilibrium

The absorption factor essentially represents the degree to which the solute is transferred from the gas phase to the liquid phase. A higher absorption factor indicates better mass transfer efficiency and typically corresponds to a greater number of ideal stages required for the separation. In practical applications, the absorption factor is often used in conjunction with equilibrium data and operating conditions to determine the number of theoretical stages needed in an absorption column to achieve the desired separation efficiency. It serves as a key parameter in the design and optimization of absorption processes, helping engineers and researchers to predict system performance and optimize process parameters.