CH8651 Mass Transfer II 2019-2020

CH8651 MASS TRANSFER- II

UNIT I
PART A

1. Define Absorption factor (MAY 2011) (MAY 2014)(NOV13) (MAY 2015)(Dec 2017)(May
2019)
It is defined as the ratio of slope of the operating line to that of the equilibrium line.
A =  LS / GS  / m = LS / Mgs Absorption factor for a fixed degree of absorption from a fixed
amount of gas should be optimum
2. Write the principle of Absorption? (Dec 2016)
Absorption is the mass transfer operation, which involves transfer of one or more components from
a gas phase to the liquid phase, based on the solubility of that particular component to the liquid.
3. What about the equilibrium and operating line in an absorber?
For an absorber, both equilibrium and operating line will be straight for mole ratios.
4. Explain the relation between absorption and solubility?
Absorption accompanied by heat evolution results in decreasing solubility in most cases.
5. What are co- current absorbers?
Co-current absorbers are usually used when the gas to be dissolved in the liquid is a pure substance
6. Why do you prefer low viscosity solvents?
For gas absorption, low viscosity solvents are preferred because of their low pressure drops,
improved pumping characteristics
7. Define the terms of NTU and HTU (April 2017)
NTU: It gives the basic concept regarding the no. of contacting units that are required for the
operation.
HTU: It refers to the depth of each of the contacting units.
8. What are single component absorber?
For single component absorber the operating line is straight only when plotted in terms of mole
ratios
9. Why low viscosity of solvents is performed for gas absorption? (May 2019)
Because of rapid absorption rates, low pressure drops on pumping.
10. Discuss about the solubility of ammonia in water?
At fixed pressure the solubility of ammonia in water increases with decrease in temperature
11. How do you increase the absorption factor?
The Absorption factor can be increased by increasing the solvent flow rate, decreasing (air ) gas
flow rate, choosing the solvent having greater solubility for the particular solute.
12. Write few industrial application of absorption.(Dec 2016)
 Controlling SO2 emission.
 Recovering of rare solutes.
13. On What basis the selection of solvent for absorption is done ?
It is done on the following basis:
 Gas solubility.
 Viscosity.
 Corrosiveness.
 Cost.
14. Give an effective method for the removal of CO2 from water gas.
CO2 can be removed from water gas by scrubbing it up with a solution of mono ethanolamine or
KOH
15. What is desorption or stripping ? How is it generally carried out?
It is the mass transfer operation that involves one or more components from the liquid phase to the
gas phase. It is normally carried out by,

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Increasing temperature.
Decreasing pressure.
16. What are the conditions to be fulfilled to avoid channeling?
Very tall packed tower are divided into series of beds to avoid channeling avoid excessive loading
to foundation as well as support plate avoid installation cost.
17. Compare stacked packing and dumped packing
Stacked packing compared to dumped packing provides less pressure drop
18. Compare HETP and HTU(Dec 12)
HETP is numerically equal to HTU only when the operating line and equilibrium lines are parallel
19. What is meant by desorption?
When the solution is being transferred from the liquid to vapour stream , the process is called as
desorption or stripping. The operating line is below the equilibrium line.
20. Define flooding and loading in an absorber.
In a given packed tower, with a given type and size of packing and with a definite flow of liquid
there is an upper line to the rate of gas flow called the flooding velocity.
As the gas flow rate is increased at low gas velocities the pressure drop is proportional to the flow
rate to the 1.8power .At a gas flow rate called the loading point.
21. What is absorption hysteresis?
Absorption hysteresis is in which two different phases are brought into intimate contact with each
other and then are separated. During the time of contact, intimate mixing occurs and the various
components diffuse and distribute themselves between the two phases.
22. Mention the materials used as packing material for gas liquid packed absorption process.(May
2018)
The first generation packing materials
(a) Raschig rings; (b) Lessing rings and modified Raschig rings and (c) Berl saddles.
The second generation random packing materials are mainly (a) Intalox saddle and modification; (b)
Pall ring and modification.
The third generation random packing materials are numeral; (a) Intalox Metal Tower Packing
(IMTP) (b) Nutter ring; (c) Cascade Mini-Ring (CMR); (d) Jaeger Tripac (e) Koch Flexisaddle (f)
Nor-Pac (g) Hiflow ring.
23. What is meant by weeping in tray tower.(May 2018)
Weeping occurs at low vapor/gas flow rates. The upward vapor flow through the plate perforations
prevents the liquid from leaking through the tray perforation. At low vapor flow rates, liquid start to
leak/rain through the perforation (called weeping).

PART B

1. a) What do you understand by "liquid film controlling” in gas absorption?. Suggest methods for
increasing the rate of transfer for this condition.
b) Indicate the methods used for the design of absorption tower for absorption with chemical
reaction. Explain the type of data needed in this design and show how this data is obtained.

2. What are the types of typical tower packings used in packed bed absorbers?. State their principal
requirements. (Dec 2017)

3. An acetone-air mixture containing 0.015 mole fraction of acetone has the mole fraction reduced to
1% of this value by countercurrent absorption in a packed tower. Gas flow rate is 1Kg/m2.s of
air and the water is entering at 1.6Kg/m2.s. For this system, Henry's law holds good and Ye =
1.75x, where Ye = Mole fraction of acetone in the vapour in equilibrium with a mole fraction x in
liquid. Calculate the number of transfer units required.

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4. An absorption column is employed to recover Benzene from a gas mixture containing 5% (mol)
benzene.A non volatile absorption oil is used which contains 0.2 weight percent Benzene.
Other data are: Gas rate to the column : 3300 m3/hr ate 25°C and 1atm. Vapour pressure of benzene
at 25°C is 106 mm Hg. Molecular weight of absorption oil : 230.
i) Determine the minimum oil circulation rate if 90% of Benzene is the fuel gas is to be absorbed.
ii) For 1.5 times the minimum oil circulation rate determine the number of ideal plates. Benzene
forms ideal solution with oil.

5. Explain the method of calculation for the number of theoretical plates required for gas absorption.

6. If it is desired to recover 98% ammonia for air-ammonia mixture containing 2% ammonia at 20

C, and 1 atm by scrubbing with water in a tower packed with 2.54 stone ware rasching ring. The
water rate 19.53 Kg/min.m2 and gas rate also is 19.53 Kg/min m2 at the gas inlet isothermal
condition and 1 atm pressure can be assumed y* = 0.746 x . Overall mass transfer coeffecient Kga
= 1.04 Kg mole/min m3 atm. Calculate the height of the tower.

7. A gas absorber has to be designed to handle 900m3/hr of coal gas containing 2%by volume benzene.
Coal gas enters at a temperature of 300K and 805mmHg. 95% benzene should be recovered by the
solvent. The solvent enters at 300 K contains 0.005 mole fraction of benzene and has an average
molecular velocity of 260. Calculate circulation rate of the solvent.per second if the column is to be
operated at 1.5 times of Lsmin. Equilibrium data is Y / 1+ Y = 0.125 X / 1+ X Where Y = mole ratio
of benzene / dry gas, X = mole ratio of benzene / solvent. (Dec 2016)

8. Carbon disulphide is to be absorbed from a dilute gas mixture of CS2 – N2 in to a pure non volatile
oil at atm. Pressure in a counter current absorber. The mole fraction of Carbondisulphide in inlet gas
stream is 0.05 and the flow rate of gas stream is 1500 kmol/hr. The equilibrium relation is given by
y =0.5 x. It is desired to reduce the molefraction of CS2 in the exit gas stream to 0.005. Calculate the
minimum value of L/G where L is liquid flow rate in Kmol/hr. Derive the equation for the operating
line if L/G is equal to 1.5times the minimum value. (MAY 2011)

9. An absorber of packed height 10.7 m is used to reduce the ammonia concentration in an air stream
from 5 %, 0.2 by volume in counter current absorber with fresh water. The inlet gas rate is
0.136kmol/m2sec based on tower cross sectional area and inlet water flow rate is 1.4 times the
minimum required for the separation. The operating conditions are 1atm and equilibrium relation is
given by y= 1.08x. Determine the absorption rate of ammonia , the concentration of ammonia in the
exit liquid stream and the overall mass transfer coefficient (MAY 2011)

10. Carbon disulphide is to be absorbed from a dilute gas mixture of CS2 – N2 having CS2 partial
pressure equal to 50 mm Hg at 24 Deg C 1atm. The gas is to be blown in to a packed tower
operated counter currently at the rate of 2000 m3/ hr and the vapor content of the exit gas is to be
reduced to 0.5 vol%. The absorption oil has an average molecular weight 180 and specific gravity
0.81. The oil enters the tower essentially stripped of all CS2 and solutions. The vapor pressure is
346mmHg.
i) Determine the minimum liquid rate in Kg/ Hr
ii) For a liquid rate of 1.5 times the minimum, calculate the number of theoretical trays (NOV 2013)

11. An ammonia –air mixture containing 2% by volume ammonia is to be scrubbed with water at 200C
in a tower packed with 1.27 cm Raschig rings. The water and gas rates are 1170kg/hr m2 each based
on empty tower cross section. Estimate the height of the tower required if 98% ammonia in the

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entering gas is to be absorbed. The equilibrium relation is Ye = 0746 X. Ye = mole fraction of

ammonia in air, x – mole fraction of ammonia in solution. Height of transfer unit value given 2 m.
(Dec 2016)

12. Explain any one equipment used for gas absorption.

13. Explain the method of calculation of tower height and number of transfer units using absorption
factor. (May 2018)

14. Describe with neat sketch about construction and working principle of tray towers. (May 2018)

15. An air ammonia mixture containing 20 mole % NH3 is being treated with water in a packed tower to
recover NH3. The incoming gas rate is 1000kg/hrm2. The temperature is 350C and the total pressure
is 1 atm. Using 1.5 times the minimum water flow rate. 95% of NH3 is absorbed. If all the operating
conditions remain unchanged how much taller should the tower be to absorb 99% of NH3 ? Henry s
law is valid and ye = 0.746 x. Variations in gas flow rate may be neglected. (Dec 2017)

16. i)Compare packed tower with plate tower.

ii)Explain how the diameter of a tower determined.
iii)Explain the factors to be considered in the choice of solvent for absorption. (Dec 2017)

17. A counter current packed tower is to be designed to recover 90 % CCl4 form air CCl4 mixture
containing 5 mole % CCl4. The gas rate will be 800 kg/hm2 of tower cross section. A non volatile
CCl4 free organic oil of molecular weight 260 is to be used as a solvent. The solvent rate should be
twice the minimum .The tower will be operated at 300C and 1 atm. Pressure
Under the operating condition, the equilibrium relation is given by y* = 20 x where x and y are the
mole fractions of CCl4 in liquid and gas respectively. If the gas and liquid phase mass transfer
coefficients kya
And kxa are 60 and 900 kmol/hr.m3 (mol.frac) respectively. Determine (April 2017)
(i) The overall mass transfer coefficient, Kya
(ii) Minimum solvent rate
(iii) The height of packed tower.

18. An air – C6H6 mixture containing 5% benzene enters counter current absorption tower where it is
absorbed with hydrocarbon oil. Gs= 600 kmole /hr. Solubility follows Raoult’s law .Temperature at
26.70C and 1 atm is operating condition. Average molecular weight of the oil is 200.Vapour
pressure of benzene at 26.7 0C is 103 mm Hg. Find
(i) (Ls)min to recover 90% entering C6H6
(ii) Number of theoretical stages if 1.5 times the minimum liquid rate is used.
(iii) The concentration of solute in liquid. (May 2019)

19. With a suitable sketch explain the working principle of tray towers and mention about its types.
(May 2019)

20. (i) Discuss the effect of temperature on gas solubility in absorption. (April 2017)
(ii) What are the essential characteristics of packing’s?
(iii) Write down the packing materials?

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UNIT II

PART – A

1. State Raoult's law (MAY 2014) (MAY 2015)(Dec 2017) (May 2018)
The equilibrium partial pressure of a component at a given fixed temperature is equal to the product of
liquid phase molefraction and the vapour pressure of the component when pure at the temperature.
i) PA * = XAPVA
2. Define Relative volatility(NOV2013) (May 2018)
It is the ratio of moles of A to B in gas or vapour phase to that in liquid phase.
= Y* / 1-Y*
X/ 1-X
3. What is meant by Reflux ratio ? (MAY 2014) (MAY 2010) (MAY 2015,2019) (Dec 2016)
It is the ratio of moles fed to the top of the distillation column to the moles which drawn as product
(distillate ) R = L / D
4. What does fenske's equation determine? (MAY 2011)
Fensky’s equation determines number of plates required under total reflux condition
5. What is plate efficiency? (NOV2013)
Plate efficiency is defined as the ratio of ideal number of plates to actual no. of plates
6. What is murphree tray efficiency? (NOV2013)
This concerns the single plate,
(a) yn – y n+1

m = ----------------
(b) yn0 – y n+1
Where yn = actual conc. Of vapour leaving plate w
(2) y n+1 = actual conc. Of vapour leaving plate n+1
(3) y n0 = conc. Of vapour in equillibrium with xw
(4) xn = actual conc. Of liquid leaving the plate n

7. Distinguish between equilibrium distillation and differential Distillation.

Equilibrium distilation Differential distillation
1) Feed is partially vapourised 1) No partial vapourisation of feed
The operating line equation is The operating line equation is
-B/D = YD -- XF i) In( F/B) =  dx / Y*-- X
XB --XF
8. Write Rayleigh’s Equation(MAY 2014)
Rayieigh’s equation is , In( F/B) =  dx / Y*-- X\
9. Explain the term total reflux.
When R = L/D=  , there will be no product stream in the column .All the vapours from the top is
condensed and returned back to the column as reflux. This is known as the total reflux.
10. What is steam Distillation? (MAY 2011) (Dec 2012) (Dec 2016)
Under nornal admospheric pressure, in order to remove the high boilingheat sensitive compounds from
nonvolalile impurities, the steam distillation techinique is used . Here component A is passed into feed
mixture and both A +B boil at a temperature much less than TbA and TbB and being immicibleand
their condensate can be seperated easily
11. What are the limitations of distillation?
In distillation process, a volatile vapour phase and a liquid phase are involved. The separation of two
components by distillation depends on the relative volatility of two components.( i.e, difference in the
boiling point between the components.)
12. When distillation by steam is used?

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Steam distillation is normally used for heat sensitive high boiling substance purification from
nonvolatile impurities .
13. Write P-X-Y diagram for constant temperature?

PVA

PVB

14. What is non ideal solution ? Give an example.

A nonideal solution is one which does not obey Raout’s law.
Eg. Ethanol -- Toluene System, Tetrahydrocarbon - CCl 4
15. What is the use of entrainer in azeotropic distillation.(NOV2013)
The entrainer may be added to the binary mixture to form a new boiling azeotrope with one of the
constituent , where a relative volatility is such that it can easily be seperated from the other original
consttuent .
16. Define Molecular distillation . (MAY 2011) (MAY 2012)
Molecular distillation is defined as distillation at very low pressure conducted industially at absolute
pressures of the order of 0.3 _ 3 N/m2 for heat sensitive materials.
17. Define Dalton's law ? How do you relate the law with the composition.
The individual partial pressue of all components present in the system is equal to the total pressure of
the system.
 PAi = Pt  PAi = Yai Pt
I=1
18. Show that for a binary system y = a X /[1+(a - 1) X] where a is the relative volatility
From , a= Y * (1-X) / X (1-Y * )
y = a X /[1+(a - 1) X]

19. How does reflux ratio depend on separation efficiency? (April 2017)
As the reflux ratio is increased, the gradient of operating line for the rectification section moves
towards a maximum value of 1. Physically, what this means is that more and more liquid that is
rich in the more volatile components are being recycled back into the column. Separation then
becomes better and thus less trays are needed to achieve the same degree of separation.
Minimum trays are required under total reflux conditions, i.e. there is no withdrawal of
distillate.
On the other hand, as reflux is decreased, the operating line for the rectification section moves
towards the equilibrium line. The ‘pinch’ between operating and equilibrium lines becomes
more pronounced and more and more trays are required.
20. Sketch the T-x-y and P-x-y diagrams of minimum boiling azeotropes.(April 2017)

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21. State Henry’s law and it’s significance. ( MAY 2011) (April 2017)
At a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid
is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas in equilibrium with that liquid.
22. The vapor pressures of A and B are 250 mm Hg and 500 mm Hg .The total pressure is 800 mm
Hg. Estimate the relative volatility. (Dec 2017).

= 250/500= 0.5
23. Enlist the assumptions made in McCabe Thiele Method? (May 2019)
 Constant Molar overflow
 Constant Latent heat
 Negligible heat of mixing.
24. Explain the significance of q line. (Dec 2017).
The parameter q is the mole fraction of liquid in the feed and the slope of the q-line is q / (q – 1). For
example, if the feed is a saturated liquid it has no vapor, thus q = 1 and the slope of the q-line is infinite
which means the line is vertical. As another example, if the feed is all saturated vapor, q = 0 and the
slope of the q-line is 0 which means that the line is horizontal

PART B

1. Show that for a binary system y = a X /[1+(a - 1) X] where a is the relative volatility

2. Write short notes on

i) Azeotropic distillation (May 2012)(May 2018,2019) (Dec 2017)
ii) Molecular distillation
iii) Extractive distillation

3. (i) Derive Rayleigh's equation for batch distillation

(ii) Describe in detail about flash distillation with neat diagram? (May 2019)

4. Discuss the effect of pressure on vapor liquid equilibria in distillation (MAY 2011)

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5. A Liquid mixture containing 40 mole % n-heptane and 60 mole % n – octane is subjected to differential
distillation at atmospheric pressure with 60 mole % of liquid distilled. Compute the composition of the
composited distillate and the residue. Take the relative volatility = 2.16

6. It is desired to distill a plate column for separating a equimolal feed mixture of A and B to get a
product of 95% A and 5% A in the distillate and residue respectively. The reflux enters the column at
it’s bubble point and a reflux ratio of 1.5 times the minimum is to be used. Estimate the number of
plates needed if the plate efficiency is 80%. (Dec 2016)

XA 0 0.16 0.31 0.49 0.66 1

YA 0 0.28 0.49 0.67 0.81 1

7. A continuous fractionating column is to be designed to separate 13,620 Kg/hr of mixture of 40%

benzene, 60% toluene in to an over head product contains 97% benzene and bottom products
containing 98% toluene are by weight. Reflux ratio of 3.5: 1 of product is to be used. The molar latent
heat of benzene, tolune are 7360 and 7960 cal/ mole. Calculate moles of over head product and bottom
product. Determine the number of ideal theoretical plates and position of the Feed plate if Feed is
liquid at its boiling point Feed at 1.36 atm gauge is used for heating, how much steam is required / hr
for each of the above cases. λ = 522 Kcal / Kg. Cooling water enters the condenser at 26.7degC and
leaves at 65.5 deg C. How Much cooling water is required. (MAY 2011)
Mole fraction of benzene 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
in liquid
Mole fraction of benzene 0.0 0.2 0.38 0.51 0.63 0.71 0.78 0.85 0.91 0.96 1.0
in vapour

8. A feed mixture of 100 kg moles containing 50mole % n heptane and 50 mole % n octane is subjected to
a differential distillation at atm. Pressure with 60 mole % of liquid distilled. Compute the composition of
the composition of the distillate and the residue using Rayleigh’s equation. (MAY 2011)

Equilibrium data
X 0.5 0.46 0.42 0.38 0.34 0.32
Y 0.689 0.648 0.61 0.567 0.523 0.497

9. A continuous fractionating column is to be designed to separate 14,000 Kg/hr of mixture of 40%

benzene, 60% toluene in to an over head product contains 95% benzene and bottom products
containing 95% toluene are by weight. Reflux ratio of 3.5: 1 of product is to be used. The molar latent
heat of benzene, tolune are 30800 and 33300 cal/ mole. Calculate moles of over head product and
bottom product. Determine the number of ideal theoretical plates and position of the Feed plate if the
overall efficiency assumed to be 60% and relative volatility is 2.5. (MAY 2011)

10. A liquid mixture of benzene-toluene is to be distilled in a fractionating tower at 101.3 K Pa pressure.

The feed of 100 Kg mole/hr is liquid and it contains 45 mole % benzene and 55 mole % toluene and
enters at 327.6 K . A distillate containing 95 mole % benzene and 5 mole % toluene and a bottom
containing 10 mole % benzene and 90 mole toluene are to be obtained. The reflux ratio is 4:1. The
average heat capacity of the feed is 159 KJ/Kg mole K and the average latent heat 32099 KJ/Kg mole.
Calculate I) the Kg mole per hour distillate and Kg moles/hr bottom product ii) No of theoretical trays
needed. (MAY 2011)

11. Define relative volatility. Show that the relative volatility is the ratio of vapor pressures of the more
volatile to the less volatile components. (April 2017)

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12. A firm has decided to use 10 plates including reboiler. The feed consists of equimolar mixture of A and
B at its boiling point. It is desired to obtain a over head product containing 96% mole of A and for the
range of temperature involved. If the optimum reflux ratio is 1.2 times the min. calculate the yield of
product. Assume the data wherever necessary or generate data. The mole fraction of the bottom product
is 0.25.(Dec 2016)

13. A rectification column is fed with an equimolal mixture of pentane and heptanes. The feed is 50
% vaporized. The top product contains 90 mole % pentane and bottom product contains 90 mole %
heptane. Assuming relative volatility of this system is 3.15.Find
(i) Minimum reflux ratio
(ii) Minimum number of theoretical plates
(iii) Write down the significance of total reflux. (April 2017)

14. A solution of 25 mole % acetic acid in water was distilled at atmospheric pressure in differential
distillation until 60% of the liquid was distilled. Compute the compositions of the distillate and residue.
Equilibrium data

x 0.07 0.15 0.27 0.5 0.62 0.72 0.82 0.9 1

y 0.05 0.11 0.2 0.38 0.49 0.60 0.73 0.84 1

Where x and y are mole fractions of acetic acid in liquid and vapor respectively. (April 2017)

15. a)Describe briefly about enthalpy concentration chart b) Discuss in detail about flash distillation process
(May 2018)

16. A continuous fractionating column is to be designed to separate 30000 Kg/hr of mixture of 40%
benzene, 60% toluene in to an over head product containing 97% benzene and bottom products
containing 98% toluene, these percentages are by weight . Reflux ratio of 3.5 mol to 1 mol of product
is to be used. The molar latent heat of benzene, tolune are 7360 and 7960 cal/ gmole respectively. The
relative volatility of the system is 2.5 the feed as a boiling point of 950C at 1 atm pressure.
(a) Calculate moles of over head product and bottom product per hour.
(b) Determine the number of ideal plates Feed is liquid at its boiling point
(c) Determine the number of plates if the feed is the mixture of 1/3 vapor and 2/3 liquid. (May
2018)
17. How will you compute equilibrium data from vapor pressure data?

18. It is desired to separate a feed mixture containing 40% heptane and 60% ethyl benzene, such that 60%
of the feed is distilled out. Estimate the composition of residue and distillate when the distillation
process is (i) Equilibrium distillation (ii) Differential distillation.
x 0 0.08 0.185 0.251 0.335 0.489 0.651 0.79 0.914 1
y 0 0.233 0428 0.514 0.608 0.729 0.814 0.910 0.963 1
x,y : Mole fraction of heptane in liquid and vapor phase respectively .(Dec 2017)

19. A continuous distillation column is used to separate feed mixture containing of 24 mole % acetone and
70 mole % into a distillate product containing 77 mole % acetone and a residue product containing 5 %
acetone. The feed is 35% liquid and 65 % vapour. A reflux ratio of twice the minimum is used. The
overall plate efficiency is 60%.Determine the number of plates required for the separation. (May 2019)
Equilibrium data

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x 0.0 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 1
y 0.0 0.102 0.186 0.322 0.428 0.513 0.586 0.656 0.725 0.80 1

20. A fractionating column separates a liquid mixture containing 50 mole % A and 50 mole % B into an
overhead product of 95 mole % A and a bottom product of 96% . A reflux ratio of twice the minimum
will be used and the feed enters at its boiling point. Determine the number of theoretical stages required
and the location of feed point. (Dec 2017)
Equilibrium data :
x 0.03 0.06 0.11 0.14 0.26 0.39 0.53 0.66 0.76 0.86 1
y 0.08 0.16 0.27 0.33 0.50 0.63 0.71 0.83 0.88 0.93 1

x,y : Mole fraction of A in liquid and vapor phase respectively .

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UNIT III
PART A

1. What is the range of selectivity of the solvent?

Selectivity of solvent for extraction should exceed unity
2. What is the use of Bolman extractor?
Bollman extractor is used for leaching the oil seeds that doesn’t disintegrate during the process.
3. What are the salient features of pulse extraction column?
Salient features of pulse extraction column are they require less maintenance & can be put behind
heavy shields
4. What is the condition of selectivity in liquid liquid extraction?
For all useful liquid-liquid extraction operation, the selectivity of solvent must exceed unity
5. Define distribution coefficient and state its importance?
The percentage of C in extract phase is more than in the raffinate phase . This means that the
distribution of C favours the solvent B. The tie line can be projected to x,y diagrams. This will give
rise to the distribution curve y Vs x . The y0 / x is known as distribution coefficient.
Example: Water (A) – Chloroform(B) – Acetone(C)
Benzene(A) – Water (B)- Acetic acid (C)
6. What is the slope of operating line?
In counter current liquid-liquid extraction the solvent B is used to separate solute C from a given A
and C. The liquid A and B are insoluble. The slope of operating line will be
A / B = ( y’1 _ ys’ ) / ( xf’ _ xNp’
7. What is the relation between extraction and solubility?
The rate of extraction in solid liquid systems depends upon the solubility
8. Write the properties of a good solvent for extraction . (MAY 2011)
For all useful extration operations, the selectivity must exceed unity.
 Insolubility of the solvent.
 Recoverability.
 Density difference must be high.
 Interfacial tension must be high.
9. What is plait point ?(MAY2014) (May 2019)
Within the two phase region , the slope of the tie – line gradually changes & finally it ends up as a
point on the curve itself & is refered to as plait point.
10. Mention the applications of liquid -liquid extraction . (April 2017)
 Recovery of acids , which raises the pH of the effluent.

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 Recovery of rare compounds.

11. What is stage efficiency?
Stage efficiency in a leaching process depends on the prescribed time period.
12. Define selectivity ?
It is the ratio of C to A in B – rich phase to that in A- rich phase.
 = ( Wt. Fraction C in E ) / ( Wt. Fraction A in E )
( Wt. Fraction C in R ) / ( Wt. Fration A in R )
Selectivity of solvent used in extraction should be greater than unity
13. Explain how the interfacial tension will affect the extraction process.
Larger the interfacial tension , more raeding coalescence of emulsion will occur but more difficult
the dispersion of one liquid in the other will be.
14. Define Extract (Dec 2012)
The product containing the removed materials is referred to as the extract. For example, in solvent
extraction, the raffinate is the liquid stream which remains after solutes from the original liquid are
removed through contact with an immiscible liquid. In metallurgy, raffinating refers to a process in
which impurities are removed from liquid material
15. What is Lixiviation? (Dec 2012) (Dec 2016)
Lixiviation is the process of separating soluble from insoluble substances by dissolving the former in
water or some other solvent.
16. Define Raffinate(Dec 2012)
The raffinate (from French raffiner, to refine) is a product which has had a component or
components removed
17. What is LLE?
It consists in transferring one (or more) solute(s) contained in a feed solution to another immiscible
liquid (solvent).
18. What is partitioning?
The term partitioning is commonly used to refer to the underlying chemical and physical processes
involved in liquid–liquid extraction,
19. What is solvent extraction?
The term solvent extraction can also refer to the separation of a substance from a mixture by
preferentially dissolving that substance in a suitable solvent. In that case, a soluble compound is
separated from an insoluble compound or a complex matrix
20. Differentiate between raffinate and extract in extraction process. (Dec 2016)
Raffinate is a solution from which some material has been removed by extraction with an
immiscible liquid while extract is that which is extracted or drawn out.
21. Define separation factor.
The separation factor is one distribution ratio divided by another; it is a measure of the ability of the
system to separate two solutes.
22. Name any four parameters to be considered in selection of solvent for extraction process.(May
2018)
Distribution Coefficient
Selectivity (Separation Factor)
Insolubility of Solvent
Recoverability
23. Mention the equipment used in single stage and multi stage extraction. (May 2018)
Single stage extraction - Mixer-settler
Multi stage extraction - rotating basket extractor.
24. Define critical solution temperature. (Dec 2017)
The temperature at which complete miscibility is reached as the temperature is raised or in some
cases lowered —used of two liquids that are partially miscible under ordinary conditions

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PART B

1. How will you select the appropriate solvent for extraction operations? Explain with examples (May
2012,2019) (April 2017) (Dec 2017)

2. Explain briefly the various types of contacting devices available for liquid - liquid extraction
operation.

3. A solution containing 20 mass per cent of acetone in water is to be extracted using

monochlorobenzene (MCB) containing 0.5% acetone by weight by counter current extraction
process. MCB and water may be considered to be immiscible within the operating range. The
equilibrium data are as follows.
Kg of acetone
per Kg of water 0.0258 0.0739 0.1605 0.267
Kg of acetone
per Kg of MCB 0.0288 0.0704 0.156 0.237
compute minimum solvent ratio to obtain a raffinate containing 1% acetone. what are the suitable
extractors for this operation.

4. Write detailed procedure with merits and demerits of Bollman extractor ( Dec 2012)

5. 1000 kg/hr of the water-dioxane solution containing 20% dioxane is to be continuously and counter
currently extracted with benzene at 25 C to recover 80% dioxane. Water and benzene are
essentially insoluble and the equilibrium distribution of dioxane between them is as follows:
wt % of dioxane in water (100 x) 5.1 18.9 25.2

wt % of dioxane in benzene (100 y) 5.2 22.5 32.0

6. Determine the number of stages required if the solvent rate is 1.5 times the minimum benzene is
used. Benzene is free from dioxane.

7. A solution containing 2% mass per cent of nicotine in water is to be extracted using kerosene.
Water and kerosene are insoluble. Assume equilibrium relation as y = 0.9 x. Determine the %
extraction of nicotine if 100 kg of feed solution is extracted with 150 kg solvent. Estimate the % of
extraction if three ideal extraction using 50 kg solvent each.

8. With a neat sketch describe the constructional features and design criteria of any two industrial
extractors. (MAY 2011) (Dec 2017)

9. Explain the working operation of any one industrial vegetable oil extraction from seeds with heat
flow diagram (MAY 2011)

10. Explain the principle of rotating disc contactor along with merits and demerits with a neat diagram.
(Dec 2012) (Dec 2016) (May 2019)

11. Explain the working mixer settlers and centrifugal extractors ( May 2012) (May 2018)

12. Explain the concept of super critical extraction in detail. (Dec 2016,2017)

13. Write a note on pulsated extraction column. (April 2017)

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14. Describe the mechanically agitated differential contact extractors used in industries with sketch.
(April 2017)

15. 1000 kg/hr of a solution of C containing 20% C by weight is to be counter currently extracted with
400 kg/hr of solvent B. A and B are mutually insoluble .Equilibrium distribution of component C
between A and B as follows:
Wt. of C/Wt. of A 0.05 0.2 0.3 0.45 0.5 0.54
Wt. of C /Wt. of B 0.25 0.4 0.5 0.65 0.7 0.74

How many theoretical stages will be required to reduce the concentration of C in A to 5% by

weight? (April 2017)

16. Nicotine (C) in the water (A) solution containing 1% is to be extracted with kerosene (B) at
200C.Water and kerosene are insoluble. Determine the % extraction of nicotine if 100 kg of feed
solution is extracted once with 150 kg solvent. (Dec 2016)

X’ kg nic/kg water 0.0010 0.0024 0.0050 0.00751 0.0099 0.020

Y’ kg nic/ kg water 0.0081 0.0019 0.0045 0.0068 0.009 0.058

17. A 25% (weight) solution of dioxane in water is to be continuously extracted with 300kg/he of pure
benzene in each stage in a cross current extraction battery. The feed rate is 100 kg/hr and if the
extraction is carried out in 3 stages estimate the % recovery. (Dec 2017)
Dioxane in water wt % 5.1 18.9 25.2
Dioxane in Benzene wt % 5.2 22.5 32.0

18. Write about York Schiebel extraction coloumn .(May 2019)

19. Nicotine in the water solution containing 1% nicotine is to be extracted once with kerosene at
200C.Water and kerosene are insoluble. Determine the % extraction if 1000 kg of feed solution is
extracted once with 1500 kg solvent. What will be the extraction if 3 ideal stages are used with 500
kg od solvent in each stage? (May 2019)

x 0 0.0010 0.00246 0.00502 0.00751 0.00998 0.0204

y 0 0.0081 0.001962 0.00456 0.00686 0.00913 0.0187
Where X kg nicotine/kg water and Y kg nicotine/ kg water

20. Nicotine (C) in the water (A) solution containing 1% is to be extracted with kerosene (B) at 20 0C.
(i)Determine the % extraction of nicotine if 100 kg of feed solution is extracted once with 150 kg
solvent. (ii) Determine the percentage extraction of nicotine if 100kg of feed solution is extracted
thrice with 50kg of solvent in each stage (May 2018)

X’ kg nic/kg water 0.0010 0.0025 0.0050 0.0075 0.0099 0.0204

Y’ kg nic/ kg water 0.0008 0.0020 0.0045 0.0069 0.0091 0.0187

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UNIT IV
PART A
1. Define leaching process in mass transfer operations?
To remove soluble or other constituents from by the action of a percolating liquid.
2. Write the principle of leaching ( May 2012,2019) (Dec 2016)
Depending upon the solubility of one or more components in the solid to the liquid solvent, mass
transfer takes place from solid to liquid solvent
3. Explain the variation between solubility and leaching?
With increase in temperature, the leaching rate increases due to increase in solubility
4. Write an example for leaching.
Leaching of coffee from coffee beans is done using hot water
5. Write the mechanism of leaching.
The solid and liquid phases are in intimate contact and the solute or solutes can diffuse from the
solid to liquid phase which causes a separation of the components originally in the solid. This
process is called leaching.
6. Give example of percolation method of leaching.
Example: Tea percolation.
7. Discuss about the effect of temperature on leaching.
It is desirable to leach at as high a temperature as possible . since higher temperatures result in
higher solubility of the solute in the solvent , higher concentration in the leach liquor is possible. 
will be lower & hence  will be higher. But in some cases, the solid may get damaged.
8. What is Insitu leaching or solution mining?(Dec 2012) (MAY 2015) (Dec 2016)
In-situ leaching (ISL), also called in-situ recovery (ISR) or solution mining, is a mining process
used to recover minerals such as copper and uranium through boreholes drilled into a deposit, in
situ.The process initially involves drilling of holes into the ore deposit. Explosive or hydraulic
fracturing may be used to create open pathways in the deposit for solution to penetrate. Leaching
solution is pumped into the deposit where it makes contact with the ore. The solution bearing the
dissolved ore content is then pumped to the surface and processed. This process allows the
extraction of metals and salts from an ore body without the need for conventional mining involving
drill-and-blast, open-cut or underground mining.
9. What is meant by decoction and elution? (Dec 2017) (May 2011,2019)
Decoction is a method of extraction by boiling of dissolved chemicals from herbal or plant material,
which may include stems, roots, bark and rhizomes. Decoction involves first mashing and then
boiling in water to extract oils, volatile organic compounds and other chemical substances.
Elution is the process of extracting one material from another by washing with a solvent; as in
washing of loaded ion-exchange resins to remove captured ions.
10. What is solutrope?( May 2011) (Dec 2017)
A ternary mixture with two liquid phases and a third component distributed between the phases, or
selectively dissolved in one or the other of the phases; analogous to an azeotrope.
11. What is heap leaching? ( Nov 2011)
Heap leaching is an industrial mining process to extract precious metals, copper, uranium, and
other compounds from ore via a series of chemical reactions that absorb specific minerals and then
re-separates them after their division from other earth materials.
12. Explain about leaching process for biological substances?
Many biological organic and inorganic substances occur in a mixture of different components in a
solid. In order to separate the desired solute constituent or remove an undesirable solute component
from the solid phase, the solid is brought into contact with a liquid. The solid and liquid are in
contact and the solute or solutes can diffuse from the solid into the solvent, resulting in separation of
the components originally in the solid. This separation process is called liquid-solid leaching or
simply leaching. Because in leaching the solute is being extracted from the solid this is also called

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extraction. In leaching, when an undesirable component is removed from a solid with water, the
process is called washing.
13. What are Cossettes? (NOV 2013)
Thin chips of sugar beet shredded for hot‐water extraction of the sugar.
14. What is Lixiviation? ( MAY 2014)
Lixiviation is the process of separating soluble from insoluble substances by dissolving the former in
water or some other solvent.
15. Differentiate Heap leaching and Insitu mining. ( Nov 2011) (Dec 2012)
Similar to in situ mining, heap leach mining differs in that it places ore on a liner, then adds the
chemicals via drip systems to the ore, whereas in situ mining lacks these liners and pulls pregnant
solution up to obtain the minerals.
16. What is froth floatation?
Froth flotation is a process for selectively separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic. This
is used in several processing industries. Historically this was first used in the mining industry, where
it was one of the great enabling technologies of the 20th century. It has been described as "the single
most important operation used for the recovery and upgrading of sulfide ores
17. What are the drawbacks of leaching?
Drawbacks of leaching are the highly acidic and in some cases toxic residual effluent, and its lower
efficiency caused by the low temperatures of the operation, which dramatically affect chemical
reaction rates.
18. What are the test methods of leaching?
Column leaching test, tank leaching test, granular leach test
19. What are the soil characteristics affects leaching?
Soil texture and structure, soil water content
25. Distinguish between leaching and extraction. (April 2017)
Leaching is the process where a solid material in a mixture is separated out by dissolving it
in a suitable solvent. In extraction, a given compound is separated from one chemical phase
to another due to the polarity differences.
20. What is dump leaching?
An industrial process to extract metals from ore taken directly from the mine and stacked on the
leach pad without crushing.
21. Name the equipments used for leaching of vegetable seeds. (May 2018)
Bollman Extractor
Rotocel Extractor
PART B

1. Discuss the effect of temperature on ternary liquid liquid systems (MAY 2011)

2. How will you prepare solid mixtures before leaching operation. (MAY 2011)

3. (i)Discuss leaching of vegetable seeds.

(ii)Discuss multistage cross current leaching.

4. 1000 Kg of soyabean are to be leached in cross current fashion using hexane as solvent to remove
oil. The flakes entering contains 15%oil and 90% oil is to be leached. How many stages are needed.
1kg of solvent is added per kg of cake. Equilibrium data are as follows.
Wt% of oil in solution 0 20 30
Kg soln. retained/ kg
Of insol.substance 1.72 1.515 1.4

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5. If 1000 Kg / hr of nicotine – water solution containing 1% nicotine is to be counter currently

extracted with kerosene to reduce the nicotine content to 0.1 %. Determine Number of theoretical
stages required if 1150 kg of kerosene is used per hour.
X’ 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01
Kg nic/ kg water
Y’ 0.0017 0.003 0.005 0.007 0.009
Kg nic / Kg kerosene

6. Explain how shank system works for a multiple countercurrent contacts in leaching operation.
( Dec 2012)(Dec 2017)

7. Explain the principle of single stage leaching with a neat diagram( Dec 2012)

8. Roasted copper ore containing copper as copper sulphate is to be extracted and the feed charge to be
treated per hour comprises 5 tonnes of inert solid 0.8 tonnes of copper sulphate and 0.3 tonnes of
water.The strong solution produced is to consists 90% water and 10% copper sulphate by weight.
The recovery of copper sulphate is to be 98% of that of the ore.After each stage one tone of inert
solid retains 2 tonnes of water plus the copper sulphate dissolved in that water.How many stages are
required? (may2014)
X 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Y 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
N 0 0.05 0.49 0.48 0.48 0.47

9. Using hexane as solvent soyabean flakes containing 20% oil is leached.100 kg solvent is used for
100kg flakes.The value of N for slurry under flow is constant at N= 1.5. calculate the overflow
composition if solvent is fresh ( MAY2012)

10. Explain in detail the types of leaching with working principle of one equipment with a neat diagram.
( MAY2012) (Dec 2016)

11. 100 kg/h of fresh fish liver containing 25% oil has to be extracted with ethyl ether in a continuous
countercurrent leaching unit 95% of the oil has to be extracted and the strong solution should
contain
0.7 mass fraction oil. Determine (April 2017)
(i) the quantity and composition of the discharged solids.
(ii) kg of oil–free ether required per hour
(iii)Number of stages required
Equilibrium data as follows
y 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
s 4.13 3.5 2.95 2.47 2.1 1.67 1.3
Where y is kg oil/kg solution and s is kg oil-free liver/ kg solution

12. Discuss the effect of temperature on leaching. (April 2017)

13. Explain the design procedure to determine the number of stages/ desired separation in a multistage
cross current leaching. (April 2017)

14. Explain with neat sketch about the equipments used in continuous leaching of coarse solids. (May
2018)

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15. Discuss the effect of temperature on liquid liquid equilibrium diagrams with sketch. (Dec 2017)

16. Roasted copper ore containing copper as copper sulphate is to be extracted and the feed charge to be
treated per hour comprises 10 tonnes of inert solid 1.2 tonnes of copper sulphate and 0.5 tonnes of
water. The strong solution produced is to consists 90% water and 10% copper sulphate by weight.
The recovery of copper sulphate is to be 98% of that of the ore. Pure water is to be used as solvent.
After each stage one tone of inert solid retains 2 tonnes of water plus the copper sulphate dissolved
in that water.How many stages are required? (Dec 2017)

x 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

y* 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
N 0.5 0.495 0.49 0.485 0.48 0.475

17. Oil is to be extracted from meal by benzene by using continuous counter current operation. The unit
is to treat 1000 kg of meal/hour (waste completely on exhausted solid). The unwanted meal contains
400 kg of oil and 25 kg of benzene. The fresh solvent contains 10 kg of oil and 655 kg of benzene.
The exhausted solids are to contain 60 kg of un-extracted oil. Experiments carried out under the
conditions of projected battery. Calculate the number of stages and concentration of solution
adhering to the solid meal. Kg of oil /Kg of solution –X ,Kg of inert solid/kg of solution-Y (Dec
2016)

X 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7

Y 1.98 1.98 1.94 1.89 1.82 1.75 1.68 1.65

18. Explain :Insitu leaching and heap leaching. (Dec 2017)

19. Explain the operation of a leaching equipment for the extraction of oil from oil seeds. (Dec 2017)

20. (i) Explain the construction and working of Bollman extractor. (May 2019)
(ii) Write short notes on percolation tanks

21. 100 tonnes of underflow feed containing 20 tons of solute.2 tons of H2O, 78 tons of inerts are to be
leached with water to give an overflow of concentration 15 % solute. 95 % recovery is desired. The
underflow form each stage carries 0.5 kg of solution / kg inert. Estimate the number of stages
needed.

22. Caustic soda is being made by treatment of lime with solution of sodium carbonate. The resulting
slurry consist of particles of CaCO3 suspended in 10% solution of NaOH 0.125 kg suspended
solid/kg solution. This settled clear NaOH solution is withdrawn and replaced by equal weight of
water and mixture is agitated after the repetition of the procedure (total of two fresh water washes)
What fraction of NaOH remains unrecovered in the sludge.

X= Wt fraction of 0.09 0.07 0.047 0.033 0.021 0.012 0.007 0.005

NaOH in solution
N=KgCaCO3/Kg 0.495 0.525 0.568 0.6 062 0.65 0.66 0.67
solution in sludge
Y*= Wt fraction of 0.09 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.015 0.01
NaOH in solution of
settled sludge

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23. (i)With a neat sketch explain the working of Rotocel extractor. (May 2019)
(ii) Write notes on shank system in leaching operations.

_________________________________________________________________________________

UNIT – V
PART A

1. What are the important adsorption isotherms?

Important adsorption isotherms are Brunauer-emmett-teller, Langmuir, freundlich adsorption
isotherms.
2. Write few important applications of adsorption
 Dehumidification.
 Removal of colouring matter.
 In gas masks.
3. Name few important adsobents(MAY 2011) (MAY 2014) (MAY 2010)
 Industial adsorbents are,
 Aluminia ,Silica gel.
 Activated clays.
 Fuller’s earth.
 Bauxite.
4. What are membrane separation process?
It involves the separation of molecules based on their sizes by means of parting them using A
membrane or septum.
5. Explain the principle of gas chromotography.
Based on the affinity of the components present in the mobile phase to the stationary phase or based
on their distribution coefficient, separation can be effectively done.
6. What is physical adsorption?
7. Physical adsorption is a readily reversible phenomemon.
8. What is elution? (May 2010)
It is the chromotographic technic that involves separation of the components based on their affinity
or distribution coefficient to the other.
9. What are the applications of Freundlich’s equation?
Freundlich’s eqution applies to adsorption of solute from dilute solutions
10. What is Relative adsorptivity?
The Relative adsorptivity is obtained by dividing the equilibrium ratio of gas composition in the
adsorbate by the ratio in the gas, The relative adsorptivity must be larger than unity if the adsorbent
is to be useful for separating the components of the gas mixture.
11. What does the rate of ion exchange depend?
The rate of ion exchange depends upon rates of the following individual processes a) diffusion of
ions from the bulk of the liquid to the external surface of an exchanger particle b) inward diffusion
of ions through the solid to the site of exchange c) exchange of the ions d)out ward diffusion of the
released ions to the surface of the solid e) diffusion of the released ions from the surface of the solid
to the bulk of the liquid .
12. What is chemisorption?
Chemisorption is defined as the adsorption resulting in chemical interaction between the absorbent
and the adsorbate.
13. Name the types of detectors used in gas chromotography.
Thermal conductivity type ii) Flame ionization type iii) Electron capture type

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14. What are the uses of gas separation membranes?

Hydrogen separation, for example, hydrogen/nitrogen separation in ammonia plants and
hydrogen/hydrocarbon separations in petrochemical applications;
 Separating nitrogen from air;
 CO2 and water removal from natural gas;
 Organic vapor removal from air or nitrogen streams.
15. What is meant by Dialysis?
It is normally used to separate collids from pure crystalline substances. Within the membrane
A solvent , the collids are left behind in the membrane. Types: hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis
16. What is heat of wetting? (Nov 2013) (Dec 2016)
The heat of adsorption of water on a substance.
The additional heat required, above the heat of vaporization of free water, to evaporate water from a
substance in which it has been absorbed.
17. What is the effect of pressure on adsorption?
At given temperature, lowering the equillibrium pressure will reduce adsorption
18. Give examples of exothermic process?
Adsorption of acetone vapour on activated carbon is exothermic process
19. Define thermal diffusion. (Nov 2013)
Thermal diffusion involves the formation of a concentration difference within a single liquid or
gaseous phase by imposition of a temperature gradient upon the fluid, thus making a separation of
the components of the solution possible.
20. Write the principle of ion-exchange process. (MAY 2011) ( MAY 2012) (Dec 2016)
Ion-exchange is the mordern separation technique that makes use of the resins, syn. Compounds
(organics) etc. , it is normally used to obtain completely pure effluent.
Na2R + Ca++  CaR + 2Na+
RNH3OH + Cl_ RNH3 Cl + OH_
Ion exchange process are chemical reactions between ions in the solution and ions in an insoluble
solid phase . the techniques used in ion exchange so closely resemble those used in adsorption that
for the majority of engineering purposes ion exchanges can be considered as a special case of
adsorption.
21. What is the mechanism of reverse osmosis process? (MAY 2014) ( Dec 2012)
( MAY 2012)(May 2018)
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a membrane technical filtration method that removes many types of large
molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a
selective membrane. The result is that the solute is retained on the pressurized side of the membrane
and the pure solvent is allowed to pass to the other side. To be "selective," this membrane should not
allow large molecules or ions through the pores (holes), but should allow smaller components of the
solution (such as the solvent) to pass freely.
22. Name the various membrane separation processes. (MAY 2011)
Reverse osmosis and ion exchange process
23. What are the types of ion exchange resins? (MAY 2011)
Cation exchanger, anion exchanger .
24. What is PSA? (Dec 2012)
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a technology used to separate some gas species from a mixture
of gases under pressure according to the species' molecular characteristics and affinity for an
adsorbent material.
25. Explain Langmuir adsorption isotherm. (Dec 2017)
The Langmuir adsorption model is the most common one used to quantify the amount of adsorbate
adsorbed on an adsorbent as a function of partial pressure at a given temperature.

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26. Distinguish physisorption and chemisorptions. (Dec 2017)

Physisorption Chemisorption
In this type of adsorption, the adsorbate is In this type of adsorption, strong chemical bonds
attached to the surface of the adsorbent with are formed between the adsorbate and the
weak van der Waal's forces of attraction. surface of the adsorbent.
New compounds are formed at the surface of the
No new compound is formed in the process.
adsorbent.
It is generally found to be reversible in nature It is generally found to be irreversible in nature

27. Write the principle of electro dialysis. (May 2019)

Electrodialysis (ED) is a membrane separation process that utilizes an electrical potential difference
as a driving force for moving salt ions in solutions. The membrane is selective in that it'll only
permit the passage of either anions or cations but not both. Thus separation is due to charge rather
than size differences. This process can be used to separate differently charged molecules of similar
sizes.The process is based on the principle that most salts that dissolved in water are ionic, being
either positively charged (cation, such as Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) or negatively charged (anion, such as Cl-,
CO32-). These ions are attracted to electrodes with an opposite electric charge (i.e. anion to cathode
or positively-charged electrode, and cation to anode or negatively-charged electrode).

28. How does adsorption process is described using isotherms. (May 2019)
Important adsorption isotherms used to describe adsorption process are Brunauer-emmett-teller,
Langmuir, freundlich adsorption isotherms. The Langmuir adsorption model quantifies the amount
of adsorbate adsorbed on an adsorbent as a function of partial pressure at a given temperature.
29. Mention the factors on which the rate of ion exchange depends upon.(May 2018)
 Selectivity (or) affinity of the ions of the resin.
 Surface area particle of the size column capacity
 Flow rate and contact time of the influent water
 Concentration of the metal ions in the water and valency

PART B

1. Write about Chromatography in detail along with a neat diagram

2. Name the principal adsorbents in commercial use and their properties.

3. An aquesous solution is coloured by small amounts of impurity which is to be removed by

adsorption on activated carbon. The colour intensity which is proportional to the concentration
of the coloured substance was measured on an arbitrary scale. It is desired to reduce the colour to
10% of its original value 9.6. Determine the quantity of fresh carbon required per 1000Kg of
solution.
 for single stage operation
 for a two stage cross current operation.
Equilibrium data:
Kg carbon
------------ 0 0.001 0.004 0.008 0.02 0.04
Kg solution

Equilibrium
colour 9.6 8.6 6.3 4.3 1.7 0.7

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4. Discuss briefly about the membrane separation process with a neat sketch and Discuss the industrial
applications.

5. Distinguish between the two types of adsorption phenomenon bringing out their essential features.

6. Write short note on 1) Electro-dialysis 2) Zone refining. (Dec 2012)

7. Describe the demineralization of water using ion exchange resins with neat flow diagram. (MAY
11,12)

8. An aqueous solution containing valuable solute is coloured by small amounts of an impurity.

Decolourisation yielded the relationship Y = 8.91 x 10-5 X 1.66. 1000 Kg of initial solution with
colour concentration of 9.6 colour units/ kg solution is to be treated with an adsorbent. Calculate the
% of original colour removed in a single stage using 32 kg of fresh adsorbent. Determine the
adsorbent needed to reduce the color to 10% of its original value in 2 stage counter current assuming
4.6 times the final color of the solution. (MAY 2011)

9. Write short notes on (MAY 2011)

i) Sweep diffusion ii) Electro dialysis iii) Reverse osmosis(MAY 2014) ( Dec 2012) (MAY 2012)

10. Explain multistage counter current adsorption. Give some applications.

11. Write a note on the commercial ion-exchange process.(Dec 2012)

12. Explain the principle of ion exchange techniques and highlight its applications. (Dec 2016) (May
2018)

13. Explain the types of adsorption isotherms in detail. (Dec 2016)

14. Explain the following (i)Adsorption isotherms (ii)Break through plot. (April 2017)

15. Write short notes on (i)Desalination by RO (ii) Desalination by electrodialysis. (April 2017)

16. Write short notes on :a) Ultra filtration b)Reverse Osmosis process c)Dialysis d) Adsorption
hysteresis (Dec 2016, 2017)

17. Describe in detail about types of adsorption and nature of adsorbents. (May 2018)

18. NO2 produced by a thermal process for fixation of nitrogen is to be removed from a dilute mixture
with air adsorption on silica gel in a continuous countercurrent adsorber. The gas entering at the rate
of 0.126 kg/s contains 1.5 % NO2 by volume and 90% of NO2 is to be removed. Operation is
isothermal at 250C and 1 atm. Pressure. The entering gel will be free of NO2 . (Dec 2017)

Partial Pressure of NO2 ,mm Hg 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Kg NO2/ 100 kg gel 0 0.4 0.9 1.65 2.6 3.65 4.85
i) Calculate the minimum weight of gel required/hr
ii) For twice the minimum gel rate , calculate the number of stages required.

19. (i)Name the commonly used adsorbents their sources and applications.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 21 Department of Chemical Engineering

CH8651 Mass Transfer II 2019-2020

(ii) Write about moving bed absorbers. (May 2019)

20. How membranes are classified? Explain the various membrane separation techniques in detail.
(May 2019)

21. The equilibrium decolourisation data for a certain system using activated carbon is given by the
equation Y = 0.004 X2 where Y is g. colouring impurity /kg impurity free solution and X is g.
colouring impurity /kg pure activated carbon. Calculate the amount of activated carbon required per
1000 kg of impurity free solution to reduce the impurity concentration from 1.2 to 0.2 g/Kg impurity
free solution using. (i) single stage operation (ii) a two stage cross current operation with
intermediate composition of 0.5 g of colouring impurity per kg impurity free solution. (May 2019)

22. An aqueous solution containing valuable solute is colored by small amounts of an impurity. Prior to
crystallization the impurity is to be removed by adsorption on decolorizing carbon which absorbs
only insignificant amount of principal solute. The following equilibrium data were obtained.

Kg of carbon/ Kg of 0 0.001 0.004 0.008 0.02 0.04

solution
Equilibrium color 9.6 8.6 6.3 4.3 1.7 0.7

The color intensity was measured on a arbitrary scale. It is desired to reduce the color to 10 % of its
initial value. Determine the quantity of fresh carbon required per 1000 kg of solution for single stage
operation, two stage cross current operation and two stage counter current operations. (May 2018)

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St. Joseph’s College of Engineering 22 Department of Chemical Engineering