A packed column that is 0.6 m in diameter and 4 m high and contains 25 mm Raschig rings is used in a gas absorption process to remove an inpurity from the gas stream by absorbing it in a liquid...

A packed column that is 0.6 m in diameter and 4 m high and contains 25 mm Raschig rings is used in a gas absorption process to remove an inpurity from the gas stream by absorbing it in a liquid solvent. The liquid, which has a viscosity of 5 cP and SG = 1:1, enters the top of the column at a rate of 2.5 kg/(s m2 ), and the gas, which can be assumed to have the same properties as air, enters the bottom of the column at a rate of 0.6 kg/(s m2 ). The column operates at atmospheric pressure and 258C. Determine: (a) The pressure drop through the column, in inches of water. (b) How high the liquid rate could be increased before the column would flood.