The mechanism of gas absorption on freshly formed liquid surfaces

Rae, Ian J (1959) The mechanism of gas absorption on freshly formed liquid surfaces. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The work presented by the author is intended to prove or disprove the validity of the theories of the mechanism of gas absorption, and, if need be, extend or develop a new theory. There are four main theories which can be divided into two classes (a) the "two film" and (b) the "penetration" hypotheses. The introduction to the work describes each of the four theories in detail. Also contained in the introduction is a survey of previous experimental data as related to the existing theories. In Section I of the experimental work the absorption characteristics of a high speed rotary absorber, working on five solute gas systems, viz., ammonia, methanol, methyl acetate, acetone and carbon dioxide (all in water) are discussed in relation to the absorption mechanism. The evidence does not favour any one of the theories in particular, but the absorption effects have been masked by almost complete removal of the very soluble gases included in the programme, A smaller absorber giving less complete absorption was constructed and the results obtained from two systems/systems, ammonia-air-water and carbon dioxide-air-water, are discussed in Section II. In an attempt to establish a clearer picture of the absorption mechanism in these absorbers and to test more directly the application of the existing theories experiments were carried out on absorption-desorption at a liquid jet. The description of the apparatus and discussion of results appears in Section III. There was some indication that the penetration theory could, if suitably modified, explain the mechanism of mass transfer. To give further proof of this theory (Section IV) a high speed absorption technique was developed. It was unfortunate that certain drawbacks in the design of the apparatus prevented conclusive evidence, in favour of the modified theory, to be given. Finally a modified penetration theory is presented on a mathematical basis and the experimental data reviewed in the light of this modification (Section V).

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: F Rumford
• Keywords: Applied physics
• Date of Award: 1959
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1959-72515
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
• Last Modified: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/72515