What is the Difference Between Absorption and Stripping?

Absorption and stripping are two different chemical processes that involve the transfer of components between substances. The key difference between the two lies in the direction of the solute transfer and the phases involved in the process.

Absorption:

• Transfer of atoms, molecules, or ions from one material (gas phase) to another (liquid phase).
• Involves the use of a solvent to dissolve the solute from the gas phase into the liquid phase.
• Primarily used to remove pollutants or unwanted components from gas streams.

Stripping:

• Transfer of components from a liquid to a vapor stream.
• Involves the use of a gas (typically a vapor) to absorb the solute from the liquid phase.
• Used to concentrate or remove components from a liquid solution.

In the context of steam stripping, engineers use steam as the gas that absorbs liquid molecules. The liquid molecules being separated from the feed get absorbed by the water vapor, effectively isolating them from the desired product. Another term for steam stripping is scrubbing.

In summary, absorption is the process of transferring molecules, ions, or atoms from one material to another, while stripping is the process of transferring components from a liquid to a vapor stream. The main difference between absorption and stripping is the direction and the nature of the phases involved in the processes.

Comparative Table: Absorption vs Stripping

The main difference between absorption and stripping is the direction of the solute transfer. Here is a summary of their differences in a tabular form:

Both absorption and stripping are important chemical processes used in industrial applications. The choice of process depends on the specific requirements of the separation, such as the volatility or solubility of the solvent or gas used.