Sour Water Stripper
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Sour Water Stripper Calculator

Kremser stages for H₂S & NH₃ + reboiler duty per GPSA §21 / API 932-A

Size a single-column sour-water stripper using the Kremser equation. The calc returns theoretical and actual stages for both H₂S and NH₃, identifies the controlling component, and computes the reboiler duty for a given lb-steam/gal-SW ratio. Per GPSA §21 and API 932-A, NH₃ (low K-value ~4) almost always controls — H₂S (K ~200) strips off the top tray.

Feed Sour Water

gpm
ppmw
ppmw

Outlet Spec

ppmw
ppmw

Stripping Conditions

lb/gal
°F
psig
Btu/lb
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—

📚 Theory

Kremser derivation, K-value selection, controlling-component logic, and downstream Claus considerations.

Read Guide →

Equations

Stripping factor (per component):

Si = Ki · Vmol / Lmol

Kremser theoretical stages (clean steam, y_in = 0):

Ntheo = ln[ (xin / xout)·(1 − 1/S) + 1/S ] / ln(S)

Reboiler duty:

q = 1.1 · Vlb/hr · hfg

Related

🧪

Amine Treatment

Upstream gas H₂S removal.
🔥

Claus Process

Sulfur recovery downstream.
🧴

H₂S Scavenger

Triazine treating alternative.
☠️

H₂S Plume

Dispersion of accidental release.