Sheets

(Problems)
on
Separation Processes
‫عمليات الفصل‬
Prepared by:

Dr. Reda Abobeah

1st semester
2022/2023
 Mark Distribution and Evaluation Plan

Mark Distribution

Quizzes: 20 marks
Assignments: 10 marks
Class activity and attendance: 10 marks
Mid-Terms (Mid-term 1 + Mid-term 2): 30 marks
Final Exam: 30 marks

Evaluation Plan
(1) There will be four quizzes (dates will be announced later), each of weightage 5%- and 15-
minutes duration.
(2) Two Mid-Semester Examination scheduled during the seven and eleven week (dates will
be announced later) each of weightage 15%- and one-hour duration.
(3) The End-Semester Examination scheduled during January 2021 will be of 30% weightage.
(4) There will be four tutorial assignments, each of weightage 2.5%. The assignments will be
given throughout the semester and the students are expected to complete the assignments
(5) To pass the course, one needs to score minimum of 60% of the maximum mark

Note:
1. The purpose of the assignments is to provide you with challenges to help you learn the material
in the course.
2. To benefit from the assignments, each student must perform the required tasks and submit it
individually.
3. Students are encouraged to contact me with questions.
4. Your assignments must be neatly prepared and easily read by the grader.
5. Points will be deduced for poor presentation, and zero grades will be given for illegible papers.
6. Due Date: ……………………………..
7. Two points will be deducted /day late.
 PCE 420: Separation Process
‫عمليات الفصل‬
1st semester, 2021

Assignment # 1 : Introduction to Separation Process Engineering

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1. The following table shows the Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium (VLE) data for Ethanol and
Water at 1 atm. y and x in Mole fractions.

x (ethanol) x (water) y (ethanol) y (water) T, Oc

0 1 0 1 100
0.019 0.981 0.17 0.83 95.5
0.0721 0.9279 0.3891 0.6109 89.0
0.0966 0.9034 0.4375 0.5625 86.7
0.1238 0.8762 0.4704 0.5296 85.3
0.1661 0.8339 0.5089 0.4911 84.1
0.2377 0.7623 0.5445 0.4555 82.7
0.2608 0.7392 0.558 0.442 82.3
0.3273 0.6727 0.5826 0.4174 81.5
0.3965 0.6035 0.6122 0.3878 80.7
0.5079 0.4921 0.6564 0.3436 79.8
0.5198 0.4802 0.6599 0.3401 79.7
0.5732 0.4268 0.6841 0.3159 79.3
0.6763 0.3237 0.7385 0.2615 78.74
0.7472 0.2528 0.7815 0.2185 78.41
0.8943 0.1057 0.8943 0.1057 78.15
1.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 78.3

Use Excel software to draw

1. y versus x diagram

2. Temperature-Composition diagram
2. If a 50 mol % % ethanol-water mixture at 55 oC and 1 atm. is heated:
a) At what temperature does it first begin to boil? What is the composition of the first bubble
of vapor?
b) At what temperature would it stop boiling (assume no material is removed? What is the
composition of the last droplet of liquid?
c) At 80 oC, what fraction is liquid?
d) When 75% has been vaporized, what is the temperature, and what are the liquid and vapor
composition?

3. We have a mixture of n-hexane, n-heptane, and n-octane at 250 kPa. The composition of the
mixture can be changed to any desired mole fractions of these three compounds.
a) What is the highest possible bubble-point temperature?
b) What is the lowest possible bubble-point temperature?

4. What is the boiling point temperature of isopentane at 150 kPa, 400 kPa? 700 kPa? 2000 kPa?

5. What is the boiling pressure of isopentane at 70 oC and 120 oC?

6. Using Enthalpy-Composition diagram for ethanol-water at a pressure of 1 kg/cm2 ; find

a) The enthalpy of a 50 wt % ethanol solution at 0.0 oC and 60 oC. What is the heat capacity
of this liquid?
b) The enthalpy of saturated liquid that is 30 wt % ethanol.
c) The enthalpy of a saturated vapor that is 80 wt % ethanol.
d) The liquid composition in equilibrium with a vapor that is 40 wt % alcohol?
e) If a 50 wt % alcohol mixture is heated to 85 oC and then allowed to separate into liquid
and vapor, what are the composition of the two phases at equilibrium? Use the lever-arm
rule (along the isotherm) to determine the relative amounts of liquid and vapor?
 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
st
1 semester, 2021

Assignment # 2: Flash Distillation

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1. We are separating a mixture of methanol and water in a flash drum at 1atm pressure.
Equilibrium data are listed below.
a) Feed is 60 mol% methanol, and 40% of the feed is vaporized. What are the vapor and
liquid mole fractions and flow rates? Feed rate is 100 kmol/h.
b) Repeat part a for a feed rate of 1500 kmol/h.
c) If the feed is 30 mol% methanol and we desire a liquid product that is 20 mol% methanol,
what V/F must be used? For a feed rate of 1000 lbmol/h, find product flow rates and
compositions.
d) We are operating the flash drum so that the liquid mole fraction is 45 mol% methanol.
L = 1500 kmol/h, and V/F = 0.2. What must the flow rate and composition of the feed
be?
e) If z = 0.4, p = 1 atm, and Tdrum = 77°C, find V/F, xm, and ym.
 Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Data for Methanol-Water (p = 1 atm)

Mole % Methanol
Temp., oC
Liquid Vapor
0 0 100
2.0 13.4 96.4
4.0 23.0 93.5
6.0 30.4 91.2
8.0 36.5 89.3
10.0 41.8 87.7
15.0 51.7 84.4
20.0 57.9 81.7
30.0 66.5 78.0
40.0 72.9 75.3
50.0 77.9 73.1
60.0 82.5 71.2
70.0 87.0 69.3
80.0 91.5 67.6
90.0 95.8 66.0
95.0 97.9 65.0
100.0 100.0 64.5

2. Two flash distillation chambers are hooked together as shown in the diagram. Both are at 1 atm
pressure. The feed to the first drum is a binary mixture of methanol and water that is 55 mol%
methanol. Feed flow rate is 10,000 kmol/h. The second flash drum operates with (V/F)2 = 0.7

and the liquid product composition is 25 mol% methanol. Equilibrium data are given in the
above table.
a) What is the fraction vaporized in the first flash drum?
b) What are y1, y2, x1, T1, and T2?

V1 V2

P= 1 atm.
10000 kgmole/h P= 1 atm.
z = 0.55 1. 2

x2 = 0.25

Pump Heater
3. You want to flash a mixture with a drum pressure of 2 atm and a drum temperature of 25°C. The
feed is 2000 kmol/h. , with 5 mol% methane, 10 mol% propane, and the rest n-hexane. Find the
fraction vaporized, vapor mole fractions, liquid mole fractions, and vapor and liquid flow rates.
Use DePriester charts. This problem exactly like example 2.2

4. A mixture that is 40 mole % benzene and 60 mole % toluene is to be flashed in a flash

distillation system. Feed is 100 kg. moles/day. We desire a liquid product that is 30 mol %
benzene. The relative volatility is αBT = 2.4
Find:
a) Vapor composition
b) Liquid flow rate.

5. An ethanol-water mixture is to be flash distilled at 1 atm. If the feed is 25 mole % ethanol,

what are the liquid and vapor composition if:
a) All of the feed is vaporized
b) None of the feed is vaporized
c) One-third of the feed is vaporized
d) Two-thirds of the feed is vaporized
Solve this problem graphically.

6. For the system given in problem 5, what fraction of the liquid must be vaporized if:
a) A vapor product containing 50 mole % ethanol is desired.
b) A liquid product containing 7 mole % ethanol is desired.
 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
st
1 semester, 2021

Assignment # 3: Introduction to Column Distillation

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1) A distillation column separating ethanol from water is shown. Pressure is 1 kg/cm2. Instead
of having a reboiler, steam (pure water vapor) is injected directly into the bottom of the
column to provide heat. The injected steam is a saturated vapor. The feed is 30 wt % ethanol
and is at 20°C. Feed flow rate is 100 kg/min. Reflux is a saturated liquid. We desire a distillate
concentration of 60 wt % ethanol and a bottoms product that is 5 wt % ethanol. The steam
is input at 100 kg/min. What is the external reflux ratio, L/D?

2) A distillation column separating ethanol from water is shown. Pressure is 1 kg/cm2. Instead
of having a condenser, a stream of pure liquid ethanol is added directly to the column to
serve as the reflux. This stream is a saturated liquid. The feed is 40 wt % ethanol and is at
 −20 °C. Feed flow rate is 2000 kg/h. We desire a distillate concentration of 80 wt % ethanol
and a bottoms composition of 5 wt % ethanol. A total reboiler is used, and the boilup is a
saturated vapor. The cooling stream is input at C = 1000 kg/h. Find the external boilup rate
(𝑉).
Note: read off all required enthalpies from the enthalpy composition diagram

3) A distillation column is separating ethanol from water at a pressure of 1 kg/cm2. A two-

phase feed of 20 wt% ethanol at 93°C is input at 100 kg/min. The column has a total
condenser and a partial reboiler. The distillate composition is 90 wt % ethanol. Distillate
and reflux are at 20°C. Bottoms composition is 1 wt % ethanol. Reflux ratio is L0/D = 3. A
liquid side stream is withdrawn above the feed stage. Side stream is 70 wt % ethanol, and
side stream flow rate is 10 kg/min. Find D, B, Qc, and QR.

4) A steady state, countercurrent, staged distillation column is to be used to separate ethanol

from water. The feed is a mixture of 40 wt% ethanol and 60 wt % water at 20 oC. Flow rate
of feed is 20,000 kg/h. The column operates at a pressure of 1 kg/cm2, The distillate and
reflux are cooled to 40 oC. A reflux ratio of L/D = 3.5 is being used. We desire a bottoms
composition of xB = 0.002 (weight fraction ethanol) and a distillate composition of xD = 0.91
(weight fraction ethanol). The system has a total condenser and a partial reboiler. Find D, B,
Qc, QR.
5) A mixture of ethanol and water is to be separated in a distillation column. The feed to the
column is 1000 lb moles/h of a 13 mol % ethanol solution. We desire a distillate product of
80 mol % ethanol and a bottoms product of 0.1 mol % ethanol. The column has a total
condenser and a partial reboiler. The column has an external reflux ratio Lo/D of 2.0. The
feed is a two phase mixture at 90 oC. Reflux leaves as a liquid at 60 oC. Pressure is 1 kg/cm2.

a.) Find the flow rates of bottoms, B, distillate D, and vapor feed to condenser V1, in lbmol/h.
b.) Find the heat loads in the condenser, Qc, and the reboiler, QR, in Btu/h
 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
st
1 semester, 2021

Assignment # 4: Column distillation internal stage by stage balances

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1) In the figure shown, what streams are represented by point A? By point B? How would
you determine the temperature of stage 2? How about the temperature in the reboiler? If
feed composition is as shown, how can the liquid composition on the optimum feed stage
be so much less than z?

2) For the following McCabe-Thiele diagram answer the following questions.

a)
1) The actual feed tray is?
2) The mole fraction MVC in the feed is?
 3) The vapor composition on the feed tray is?
4) The liquid composition on the feed tray is?
b) Is the feed a superheated vapor feed, saturated vapor feed, two-phase feed, saturated
liquid feed, or sub-cooled liquid feed?
c) Is the temperature at stage 7 higher, lower or the same as at stage 1?

3) Redo example 4.1, using McCabe-Thiele method

4)
a) We have a superheated vapor feed of 60 mol% more volatile component at 350°C.
Feed flow rate is 1000 kmol/h. On the feed plate the temperature is 50°C. For this
mixture the average heat capacities are
CPL = 50 cal/(mol.°C), CPV = 25 cal/(mol. °C)
While the latent heat of vaporization is λ = 5000 cal/mol. Plot the feed line for this
feed.
b) If a feed to a column is a two-phase feed that is 40 mol% vapor, find the value of q
and the slope of the feed line.
c) If the feed to a column is a superheated vapor and 1 mole of liquid is vaporized on
the feed plate to cool 5 moles of feed to a saturated vapor, what is the value of q?
What is the slope of the feed line?
5) We desire to use a distillation column to separate an ethanol-water mixture. The column
has a total condenser, a partial reboiler, and a saturated liquid reflux. The feed is a saturated
liquid of composition 0.10 mole fraction ethanol and a flow rate of 250 moles/h. A bottoms
of 0.005 and a distillate of 0.75 mole fraction ethanol are desired. For an external reflux of
2.0, find the liquid and vapor compositions leaving the fourth stage from the top of the
column. Assume constant molal overflow and solve the problem graphically. Pressure is 1
atm.

6) A distillation column is separating ethanol and water at a pressure of 1 atm. Feed is 40

mole % ethanol, and feed rate is 100 kg moles/h. The feed is a superheated vapor, and 1
mole of liquid must vaporize in the column for each 10 moles of feed. The distillate product
is 72 mole % ethanol. Reflux is a saturated liquid, and Lo/D = 3.0; the bottom
composition should be 2 mole % ethanol. The column has a total condenser and a partial
reboiler. Find the optimum feed plate location and the total number of equilibrium stage
required.

7) A continuous, steady-state distillation column with a total condenser and a partial reboiler
is separating methanol from water at one atmosphere (y-x composition diagram shown
below). The feed rate is 100 kmol/h. The feed is 55 mol% methanol and 45 mol% water.
We desire a distillate product that is 90 mol% methanol and a bottoms product that is 5
mol% methanol. Assume CMO.
a) If the external reflux ratio L/D = 1.25 plot the top operating line.
b) If the boilup ratio /B = 2.0 plot the bottom operating line.
c) Step off stages starting at the bottom with the partial reboiler. Use the optimum feed
stage. Report the optimum feed stage and the total number of stages.
d) Plot the feed line. Calculate its slope. Calculate q. What type of feed is this?

8) A distillation column is separating methanol and water. The column has a partial reboiler,
a total condenser, and a saturated liquid reflux. The feed is 152 kg moles/h, and feed
composition is 40 mol % methanol. The feed is a two-phase mixture that is 60 % liquid
40% vapor and will be put into the column at the optimum feed plate. The distillate
composition is 0.92, and bottoms is 0.08 mole fraction methanol. CMO can be assumed.
Use an external reflux ratio of L/D = 0.9 (yx composition diagram shown below)

a) Find the value of q, and plot the feed line.

b) Plot the top and bottom operating lines.
c) Find the optimum feed plate location and total number of equilibrium stages.

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

y versus x diagram (composition diagram) for methanol-water system

 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
st
1 semester, 2021

Assignment # 5: Advanced Binary Distillation:

McCabe-Thiele and Lewis Analysis

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1)
(a) A distillation column with a total condenser is separating acetone from ethanol. A distillate
concentration of xD = 0.90 mole fraction acetone is desired. Since CMO is valid, L/V =
constant. If L/V is equal to 0.8, find the composition of the liquid leaving the fifth stage
below the total condenser.
(b) A distillation column separating acetone and ethanol has a partial reboiler that acts as an
equilibrium contact. If the bottoms composition is xB = 0.13 mole fraction acetone and the
boilup ratio V/B = 1.0 , find the vapor composition leaving the second stage above the
partial reboiler.
(c) The distillation column in parts a and b is separating acetone from ethanol and has xD
= 0.9, xB = 0.13, L/V = 0.8, and V/B = 1.0 . If the feed composition is z = 0.3 (all
concentrations are mole fraction of more volatile component), find the optimum feed plate
location, total number of stages, and required q value of the feed. Equilibrium data for
acetone and ethanol at 1 atm, are

xA 0.1 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90
yA 0.262 0.348 0.417 0.478 0.524 0.566 0.605 0.674 0.739 0.802 0.865 0.929
2) For Problem (1.c) for separation of acetone from ethanol, determine:
(a) How many stages are required at total reflux?
(b) What is (L/V)min? What is (L/D)min?
(c) The L/D used is how much larger than (L/D)min?
(d) If Emu = 0.75; How many stages are required for L/V = 0.8?

3) Find the number of stages and the optimum feed location for a column separating methanol
and water. The column has a total condenser, saturated liquid reflux, and an open steam
heating. The steam is a saturated vapor. Constant molal overflow can be assumed. Feed
composition = 0.4, xD = 0.96, xB = 0.04. Pressure is 1 atm.
(a) L/D = 1.0 and q = 0.8
(b) L/D = 1.0 and q = 2
(c) What is the minimum L/D for parts a and b ?
Do all three parts on one McCabe-Thiele diagram.

4) A distillation column with two feeds is separating ethanol (E) and water at a pressure of 1.0
atm. The column has a total condenser with saturated liquid reflux and a partial reboiler. Feed
1 is a saturated liquid and is 42 mol% ethanol. Feed 2 flow rate is F2 = 100 kmol/h. Feed 2 is
18 mol% ethanol and is a two-phase mixture that is 30% vapor. The external reflux ratio is
L/D = 1/2, and the distillate flow rate is D = 80 kmol/h. We desire a distillate mole fraction of
xD = 0.66 mole fraction ethanol and a bottoms that is xB = 0.04 mole fraction ethanol. You can
assume that CMO is valid.
(a) Find the flow rates F1 and B.
(b) Find the liquid and vapor flow rates in the middle section, L′ and V′.
(c) Determine and plot the operating lines. Be neat.
(d) Find both optimum feed locations (above partial reboiler) and the total number of
equilibrium stages needed. Step off stages from the bottom up. Be neat.
5) A distillation column is separating a 30% methanol, 70% water feed. The feed rate is 237
kmol/h and is a saturated liquid. The column has a partial reboiler and a partial condenser. We
desire a distillate mole fraction of yD,M = 0.95 and a bottoms mole fraction of xB,M = 0.025.
Assume CMO is valid.
(a) Find Nmin.
(b) Find (L/V)min and (L/D)min.
(c) If L/D = 2.0 (L/D)min, find the optimum feed plate location and the total number of
equilibrium stages required.
(d) Determine the boilup ratio used.

6) We are separating methanol and water in a distillation column using open steam heating and a
partial condenser. Feed is a superheated vapor where 2 moles of feed vaporize 1 mole of liquid.
Feed rate is 250 moles/h, and feed composition is 0.8; Distillate composition is yD = 0.96, and
bottoms composition is xB = 0.10. Use reflux ratio L/D = 2 (L/D)min , and find optimum feed
plate location and total number of equilibrium stages needed.

7) We are separating methanol and water in a distillation column with a total condenser and a
partial reboiler. Reflux is a saturated liquid and constant molal overflow can be assumed. Feed
is a saturated liquid of composition 0.6 and flow rate of 500 moles/h. Distillate composition is
xD = 0.92, and bottom composition is xB = 0.04. The external reflux ratio is L/D = 1.0. The
partial reboiler acts as an equilibrium contact. The stages in the column have Murphree vapor
efficiencies of 0.75. Find the number of real stages needed and the optimum feed plate location
in real stages.

8) A distillation column with a total condenser and a partial reboiler is separating an ethanol-
water mixture. The feed is saturated liquid that is 20 mol % ethanol, and the feed is 1000
moles/h. A bottoms composition of 2 mol % ethanol is desired. The reflux is returned as a
saturated liquid, and constant molal overflow can be assumed. Find the minimum reflux ratio
and the number of stages required at total reflux (minimum number of stages) if
(a) Distillate is 65 mole % ethanol
(b) Distillate is 85 mole % ethanol
9) A distillation column with a total condenser and a partial reboiler is separating acetone and
ethanol. The feed is 70 mole % acetone, flows at 1000 moles/h, and is a superheated vapor for
which 1 mole of liquid must vaporize on the feed plate to cool 4 moles of feed. We desire a
bottoms composition of 5 mole % acetone and a distillate composition of 90 mole % acetone.
Reflux is a saturated liquid. Pressure is 1 atm. Equilibrium data are in Problem 1.
(a) What is the minimum number of equilibrium stages required for tis separation (i.e.,
total reflux)?
(b) What is the minimum external reflux ratio?
(c) If the actual L/D = 2 (L/D)min, find the optimum plate location and the number of stages
required for separation using a Murphree vapor efficiency of 75%..

10) A distillation column with a total condenser and a partial reboiler is separating methanol and
water. We desire a bottoms composition of 2% methanol and a distillate that is 95% methanol.
Reflux is returned to the column as a saturated liquid, and constant molal overflow is valid.
(a) Find the number of equilibrium stages required at total reflux.
(b) If the feed is 32 % methanol, flows at 1502 moles/h, and is sub-cooled liquid where 2
moles of vapor must condense on the feed plate to heat 7 moles of feed to its boiling
temperature, find the minimum external reflux ratio.
(c) If L/D = 1.6 (L/D)min is used for the problem in part (b), find the number of real stages
needed and the actual feed location if the Murphree vapor efficiency is 75 %.
Remember the partial reboiler has an efficiency of 100 %.
 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
st
1 semester, 2021

Assignment # 6: Batch Distillation

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1. Derive Eq. (13)

2. A mixture of benzene and toluene is to be batch distilled in a simple batch still. F = 2 kg

mole, xF = 0.55 mole frac benzene. Relative volatility is αBT = 2.5.
a) For xW,final = 0.2, find xD,avg

b) For xD,avg = 0.7, find xW,final and Wfinal

3. A simple batch distillation is done for a binary mixture of ethanol and water. The feed is 0.5
kmol of liquid that is 0.10 mole fraction ethanol. The simple batch distillation is continued
until the liquid remaining in the still pot is xW,final = 0.00346 mole fraction ethanol. Find

the values of Wfinal and the distillate Dtotal and the average mole fraction of ethanol in the

distillate, xD,avg.

Pressure is 1 atm. Equilibrium data are given in the Table

Ethanol and water system, problem # 3 Methanol and water system, problem # 4 & 7

x y x y
0.0000 0.0000 0 0
0.019 0.170 0.02 0.134
0.0721 0.3891 0.04 0.23
0.0966 0.4375 0.06 0.304
0.1238 0.4704 0.08 0.365
0.1661 0.5089 0.1 0.418
0.15 0.517
0.2337 0.548
0.2 0.579
0.2608 0.558 0.3 0.665
 0.3273 0.583 0.4 0.729
0.3965 0.6122 0.5 0.779
0.5079 0.6564 0.6 0.825
0.5198 0.6599 0.7 0.87
0.8 0.915
0.5732 0.6841
0.9 0.958
0.6763 0.7385 0.95 0.979
0.7472 0.7815 1 1
0.8954 0.8954
0.93 0.92
0.97 0.96
1.0000 1.0000

4. We wish to use a simple batch still (one equilibrium stage) to separate methanol from water. The
feed charge to the still pot is 100 moles of a 75 mol% methanol mixture. We desire a final bottoms
concentration of 55 mol% methanol. Find the amount of distillate collected, the amount of
material left in the still pot, and the average concentration of distillate. Pressure is 1 atm.
Equilibrium data are given in the Table

5. We wish to use a distillation system with a still pot plus a column with one equilibrium stage
to batch distill a mixture of methanol and water. A total condenser is used. The feed is 57
mol% methanol. We desire a final bottoms concentration of 15 mol% methanol. Pressure is
101.3 kPa. Reflux is a saturated liquid, and L0/D is constant at 1.85. Find Wfinal, Dtotal, and

xD,avg. Methanol- water equilibrium data are given in Table2-7 Calculate on the basis of

100 kmol of feed.

Hint:
➢ Use a constant reflux ratio and allow xD to vary
➢ So, on McCabe-Thiele diagram, pick the following values of xD and get the values
of the corresponding xW
0.9 0.895 0.85 0.837 0.72 0.70
 X y
6. We wish to do a simple batch distillation (1 0 0
equilibrium contact) of a mixture of acetone and 0.1 0.262
0.15 0.348
ethanol. The feed charge to the still pot is 80
0.2 0.417
mol% acetone. The final concentration in the still 0.25 0.478
pot will be 40 mol% acetone. The final amount 0.3 0.524
0.35 0.566
of material in the still pot is 2.0 kmole. Vapor- 0.4 0.605
liquid equilibrium (VLE) data are in the Table. 0.5 0.674
0.6 0.739
Find the feed amount F, the average mole 0.7 0.802
fraction of the distillate, and the kmoles of 0.8 0.865
0.9 0.929
distillate collected. 1 1

7. A simple batch distillation is being done to process a feed

containing water and n-butanol that is 52 mol% water. The x y
feed to the still pot is 3.0 kmol. The final still pot 0.506 0.740
concentration should be 28 mol% water. Equilibrium data 0.552 0.750
are shown in the Table. 0.564 0.752

a) Find Wfinal (final amount in the still pot, kmole), DV,tot 0.571 0.748

(total amount of distillate vapor collected, kmole), and 0.573 0.750

0.975 0.752
yD,avg (average mole fraction water in the vapor
0.98 0.756
distillate).
0.982 0.758
b) After the distillate vapor is condensed in the total
0.985 0.775
condenser, the liquid is sent to the settler. Two distillate
0.986 0.784
liquid products are withdrawn. Find the total amounts of
0.988 0.808
each distillate liquid collected, D1 (with xD1,water = 0.992 0.843
0.573) and D2 (with xD2,water = 0.975), in kmoles. 0.994 0.884
0.997 0.929
x y x y
0.998 0.951
0 0 0.257 0.629
0.990 0.981
0.039 0.267 0.275 0.641
0.1 0.1
0.047 0.299 0.292 0.655
0.055 0.323 0.305 0.662
0.07 0.352 0.496 0.736
8. We have a simple batch still separating 1,2 dichloroethane from 1,1,2 trichloroethane.
Pressure is 1 atm. The relative volatility for this system is very close to constant at a value of
2.4..
a. The charge (F) is 1.3 kmol. This feed is 60 mol% dichloroethane. We desire a final
still pot concentration of 30 mol% dichloroethane. Find the final moles in the still
pot and the average mole fraction of the distillate product.
b. Repeat part a if the feed charge is 3.5 kmol.
c. If the feed charge is 2.0 kmol, the feed is 60 mol% dichloroethane, and we want a
distillate with an average concentration of 75 mol% dicholoroethane, find the final
kmoles in the still pot and the final mole fraction of dichloroethane in the still pot.
 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
1st semester, 2021

Assignment # 7: Absorption and Stripping

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

1) The partial pressure of CO2 in air is 1.333 × 104 Pa and the total pressure is 1.133 × 105 Pa.
The gas phase is in equilibrium with a water solution at 303 K. What is the value of xA for
CO2 in equilibrium in the solution?
Ans. xA = 7.07 × 10−5 mol frac CO2

2) At 303 K the concentration of CO2 in water is 0.90 × 10−4 kg CO2/kg water. Using the
Henry's law constant, what partial pressure of CO2 must be kept in the gas to prevent the
CO2 from vaporizing from the aqueous solution?
Ans. pA = 0.0685 atm

3) You wish to absorb solute Q from an air stream into a solvent. The inlet solvent is pure.
The entering air stream is 0.0015 mole fraction Q, and the exiting air stream is to be
0.00003 mole fraction Q. The outlet liquid stream is 0.00065 mole fraction Q. At the
temperature and pressure of operation, equilibrium can be represented by Henry's law. In
terms of mole fraction of Q, equilibrium is y = 2.21 x. How many stages are required?
Use one form of the Kremser equation.

4) We are absorbing hydrogen sulfide at 15°C into water. The entering water is pure. The feed
gas contains 0.0012 mole fraction hydrogen sulfide, and we want to remove 97% of this in
 the water. The total gas flow rate is 10 kmol/h. The total liquid flow rate is 2000 kmol/h.
Total pressure is 2.5 atm. You can assume that total liquid and gas flow rates are constant.
Equilibrium data are in Table 7-1.
(a) Calculate the outlet gas and liquid mole fracs of hydrogen sulfide.
(b) Calculate the number of equilibrium stages required using a McCabe-Thiele
diagram.
(c) If L/V = M × (L/V)min, find the multiplier M (M > 1).
(d) Why is this operation not practical? What would an engineer do to develop a
practical process?

5) Problem (4) satisfies the criteria for using the Kremser equation. Repeat Problem 4.b, but
use the Kremser equation. Compare your answer with the McCabe-Thiele solution.

6) It is desired to absorb 90% of the acetone in a gas containing 1.0 mol % acetone in air in a
countercurrent stage tower. The total inlet gas flow to the tower is 30.0 kg mol/h, and the
total inlet pure water flow to be used to absorb the acetone is 108 kg mol H2O/h. The
process is to operate isothermally at 300 K and a total pressure of 101.3 kPa. The
equilibrium relation for the acetone (B) in the gas–liquid is yB = 2.53xB. Determine the
number of theoretical stages required for this separation.

7) Repeat problem (6) using the analytical Kremser equation.

8) A stripper with one equilibrium stage is stripping 1-chloro-naphthalene from water into

air. The liquid feed is xin = 2.0 × 10–6 mole fraction 1-chloro-naphthalene and the total

liquid flow rate is L = 100 kmol/h. The inlet air is pure yin = 0 and total gas flow rate is V

= 10.0 kmol/h. The column operates at T = 25°C, and the Henry’s law constant for 1-chloro-
–6
naphthalene is given in Table7-2. If an outlet liquid mole fraction of xout = 0.4 × 10 is
desired, what is the pressure (in atm) of the stripper, and what is the value of yout?

Assume ℋ does not depend on pressure and that both L and V are constant.
9) We have a steam stripper operating isothermally at 100°C. The entering liquid stream
contains 0.0002 mole frac nitrobenzene in water at 100°C. Flow rate of entering liquid is
1 kmol/min. The entering steam is pure water at 100°C. We desire an outlet liquid mole frac
of 0.00001 nitrobenzene. L/V = 12.0. You can assume that total liquid and gas flow rates are
constant. At 100°C equilibrium in terms of nitrobenzene mole frac is y = 28 x.
a) Find the outlet mole fraction of the nitrobenzene in the vapor stream
b) Calculate the number of equilibrium stages required using a McCabe-Thiele
diagram.
c) Use one form of Kremser equation to find the number of stages.

10) A countercurrent staged stripper column for laboratory use has been constructed with N
equilibrium stages in which P is being stripped from nC9 using methane gas. The methane
can be assumed to be insoluble and the nC9 is nonvolatile. Operation is isothermal. The
laboratory test results are:
𝑙𝑏 𝑃 𝑙𝑏 𝑃
𝑋𝑖𝑛 = 0.40 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 0.50
𝑙𝑏 𝑛𝐶9 𝑙𝑏 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑒

𝑙𝑏 𝑃 𝑙𝑏 𝑃
𝑋𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 0.06 𝑌𝑖𝑛 = 0.020
𝑙𝑏 𝑛𝐶9 𝑙𝑏 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑒

Equilibrium data can be approximated as Y = 1.5X

Find the number of stages (N) graphically and analytically.

11) We wish to remove solute Q from a heavy oil stream by stripping the oil with air. The
column will operate at 60 oC and 2.2 atm pressure. At this temperature and pressure the oil
can be considered to be nonvolatile and the air is insoluble in the oil. The inlet liquid flows
at 100 moles/h (total flow rate) and is 20 mole % Q and 80 mole % heavy oil. We wish to
reduce the concentration of Q in the oil to 1 mole % Q. The inlet air stream contains no Q
and flows at 100 moles/h. Equilibrium data at 60 oC and 2.2 atm have been obtained in the
laboratory and can be expressed as: Mole fraction Q in vapor = 1.5 x (mole fraction Q in
liquid). Find the outlet gas composition and the number of equilibrium stages required for
this separation.
12) Component A in a water stream is to be stripped out using an air stream in a countercurrent
staged stripper. Inlet air is pure, and flow rate is G = 500 lb/h. Inlet liquid stream has a
mass ratio of X = 0.10 and a flow rate of pure water of 500 lb/h. The desired outlet mass
ratio is X = 0.005. Assume that water is nonvolatile and air is insoluble. Find the number
of equilibrium stages and the outlet gas ratio. Equilibrium data can be represented by Y =
1.5 X. Also find (L/G)max

13) A vent gas stream in your chemical plant is 15.0 wt % Z; and the rest is air. The local
pollution authorities require a maximum concentration of 4.0 wt %. You have decided to
build an absorption tower using water as the absorbent. The inlet water is pure and at 30
o
C. The operation is essentially isothermal. At 30 oC your laboratory has found that the
equilibrium data can be approximated by y = 0.5x (where y and x are weight fractions of
Z in vapor and liquid respectively).
(a) Find the minimum ratio of water to air (L/G)min
(b) With an L/G = 1.22 (L/G)min find the total number of equilibrium stages and the
outlet liquid concentration.
 Minia University
Faculty of Engineering
Petro-Chem. Eng. Program

PCE 420: Separation Process

‫عمليات الفصل‬
1st semester, 2021

Assignment # 8: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

....................................................... :‫االسم‬

(1)
Redo example 8.2, but with feed rate is 150 moles/h. Compare the results and write your
comments.

(2)
Acetic acid is being extracted from water with butanol as the solvent. Operation is at 26.7°C and
equilibrium data are in Table 13-3. The feed is 10.0 kg/min of an aqueous feed that contains
0.01 wt frac acetic acid. The entering solvent stream is butanol with 0.0002 wt frac acetic acid.
The flow rate of the solvent stream is 8.0 kg/min. The column has 6 equilibrium stages. Find
 the outlet weight fractions. Assume butanol and water are immiscible. Solve with the

Kremser equation.

(3)
We have a mixture of acetic acid in water and wish to extract this with 3-heptanol at 25 0C.
Equilibrium is:
𝑤𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡
= 0.83
𝑤𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

The inlet water solution flows at 250 kg/h and is 0.008 wt. frae. acetic acid. We desire an outlet
water concentration of 0.0005 wt. frac. acetic acid. The solvent flow rate is 325 kg/h. The entering
solvent contains 0.0002 wt. frac. acetic acid. Find the outlet solvent concentration and the number
of equilibrium stages required.
a) Solve with the Kremser equation.
b) Check your answer with a McCabe-Thiele diagram

(4)
The equilibrium for extraction of acetic acid from water into 3-heptanol at 25°C is y = 0.828 x,
where y is wt frac acetic acid in 3-heptanol and x = wt frac acetic acid in water. We have a feed
with F = R = 400 kg/h that is x0 = 0.005 wt frac acetic acid and 0.995 wt frac water. This feed
is contacted in a counter-current extractor with E = 560 kg/h of solvent that is yN+1 = 0.0001 wt
frac acetic acid and 0.9999 wt frac 3-heptanol. We desire an outlet raffinate concentration of xN
= 0.0003 wt frac acetic acid and 0.9997 wt frac water. Assume water and 3-heptanol are
immiscible and that R and E are constant.
Determine the number of equilibrium stages N required (graphically and analytically).

(5)
The equilibrium for extraction of acetic acid from 3-heptanol into water at 25°C is y = 1.208 x,
where y = wt frac acetic acid in water and x = wt frac acetic acid in 3-heptanol. We have a feed with
F = R = 100 kg/h that is x0 = 0.005 wt frac acetic acid and 0.995 wt frac 3-heptanol. This feed is
contacted in a counter-current extractor with solvent that is yN+1 = 0.0002 wt frac acetic acid and
0.9998 wt frac water. We desire an outlet raffinate concentration of xN = 0.0005 wt frac acetic acid
and 0.9995 wt frac 3-heptanol. Assume water and 3-heptanol are immiscible and that R and E are
constant. Note that parts a, b, and c can be solved independently of each other, or the value of y1 from
part a can be used in part b.
a) If solvent flow rate E = 140 kg/h, calculate the exiting extract wt frac y1.
b) If solvent flow rate E = 140 kg/h, determine the number of equilibrium stages N required (apply
the suitable form of Kremser Eqs.).
c) Problems 3. and 4. are for the same system, but y = 1.208 x in one problem and y = 0.828 x
in the other problem. Explain why.
d) Repeat part b by applying McCabe-Thiele diagram.

(6)
We have an extraction column with 30 equilibrium stages. We are extracting acetic acid from
water into 3-heptanol at 250C. Equilibrium is given in Problem 4. The aqueous feed flows at a rate
of 500 kg/h. The feed is 0.011 wt frac acetic acid. And the exit water should be 0.00037 wt frac
acetic acid. The inlet 3-heptanol contains 0.0002 wt frac acetic acid. What solvent flow rate is
required? Assume that total flow rates are constant.

(7)
We have a mixture of linoleic and oleic acids dissolved in methyl-cellosolve and 10% water.
Feed is 0.003 wt frac linoleic acid and 0.0025 wt frac oleic acid. Feed flow rate is 1500 kg/h. A
simple countercurrent extractor will be used with 750 kg/h of pure heptane as solvent. We desire
a 99% recovery of the oleic acid in the extract product. Equilibrium data are given in Table 13-3
(Textbook). Find N and the recovery of linoleic acid in the extract product.

(8)
We are extracting acetic acid from benzene (diluent) into water (solvent) at 25°C and 1.0 atm. 100.0
kg/h of a feed that is 0.00092 wt frac acetic acid and 0.99908 wt frac benzene is fed to a column.
The inlet water (solvent) is pure and flows at 25.0 kg/h. We have an extractor that operates with 2
equilibrium stages.
𝑦 𝑊𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐. 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡 (𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟)
𝐾𝑑 = = = 30.488
𝑥 𝑊𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐. 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 (𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑧𝑒𝑛𝑒)

Find
a) The outlet wt frac of acetic acid in the benzene, xout.
b) The outlet wt frac of acetic acid in the water, yout.

(9)
We have a mixture of acetic acid in water and wish to extract this with 3-heptanol at 25 0C.
Equilibrium is
𝑤𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡
= 0.828
𝑤𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
The inlet water solution flows at 550 lb/h and is 0.0097 wt. frae. acetic acid. We desire an outlet
water concentration of 0.00046 wt. frac. acetic acid. The solvent flow rate is 700 Ib/h. The
entering solvent contains 0.0003 wt. frac. acetic acid. Find the outlet solvent concentration and
the number of equilibrium stages required (use the Kremser equation). Is this an economical way
to extract acetic acid?

(10)
We plan to recover acetic acid from water using 1-butanol as the solvent. Operation is at 26.7°C.
The feed flow rate is 10.0 kmol/h of an aqueous solution that contains 0.0046 mole frac acetic
acid. The entering solvent is pure and flows at 5.0 kmol/h. This operation will be done with three
mixer-settlers arranged as a countercurrent cascade. Each mixer-settler can be assumed to be an
equilibrium stage. Equilibrium data are available in Table13-3 (Textbook). Find the exiting raffinate
and extract mole fractions.
(11)
An extraction column is used to remove an impurity P from toluene with water as the solvent. The

toluene and water assumed to be completely immiscible. The toluene enters the column with 20

wt % P, and it should leave with 1.0 wt % P. The water used as solvent enters the column as
pure water. Feed flow rate is 200 lb/h. Solvent rate is 300 lb/h. Over the required range of
operation, equilibrium data can be satisfactorily represented as:
wt fraction P in water = 0.75 (wt fraction P in toluene) + 10.0 (wt fraction P in toluene)2
Find the number of equilibrium stages required. If the overall efficiency is 16 %, how many real
stages are needed?

(12)
An 15.5 wt % mixture of acetic acid and water is to be extracted with 1-butanol at 1 atm. pressure
and 26.7 oC. We desire outlet concentration of 0.5 wt % in the water and 10.6 wt % in the butanol.
Inlet butanol is pure. Find the number of equilibrium stages required and the ratio of water to 1-
butanol.
The equilibrium data are given in Table 13-3, y = 1.613x where y and x are the acetic acid
wt. fracs. in the solvent and diluent phases, respectively