Step 1: Gas Absorption Process Fundamentals.
Gas absorption involves plotting the gas's concentration against the liquid's concentration. For optimal efficiency, the operating line should be positioned near the equilibrium line. Specifically, for peak performance, the operating line is parallel to the equilibrium line. This configuration promotes a progressive and cost-effective absorption process by preventing prolonged contact between the gas and liquid phases.
Step 2: Analysis of Alternative Scenarios.
- (A) The operating line should not be above the equilibrium line, as this signifies inefficient absorption.
- (C) The operating line does not coincide with the equilibrium line, as this would mean no absorption is occurring.
- (D) The operating line being tangent to the equilibrium line suggests a highly specific and likely inefficient operating condition for gas absorption.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{B) lies parallel to the equilibrium line}} \]